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Copyright, 1885, 
by Harper & Brothers 


February 12, 1886 


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per Year, 52 Numbers, $15 


Entered at the Post-Office at New York, as Second-class Mall Matter 

LORD BEACONSFIELD’S 


CORRESPONDENCE WITH IS SISTER 




1833-1852 


G 07YhxQii 7 M^ 

.1 up ' ) 

FORT!.- NIHIL DIFFICILE 



BooJcs you may hold readily in your hand are the most useful , after all 

Dr. Johnson 





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1 S' THE MEMORY 

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PREFACE 


■'Vi, 


This volume is a reply to the numerous requests I have 
received for more of my Brother’s letters. 

After much consideration and careful examination, I 
have been induced to publish what I trust may interest 
the public, while not trenching on the family privacy; 
and it is this difficulty of the private character of so 
many of these letters which prevents me from allowing 
them to pass out of my possession for any purpose what¬ 
ever. 

To some their tone may be thought egotistical; but it 
must be remembered they were written without thought 
of publication, and to a sister who fully believed in the 
writer’s power, and who happily lived just long enough 
to see him Chancellor of the Exchequer and leader of the 
House of Commons. 

Those who only knew him in his later days will be in¬ 
terested in the fresh enjoyment of his entrance into so¬ 
ciety, and even more in that first step of parliamentary 
struggle which eventually was crowned with such success. 

I trust that in the letters as published there is nothing 
to give personal annoyance to any one, this being so 
often forgotten in the “ Memoirs” of the present day. 

The falling off of the correspondence in the later years 
must be accounted for by my sister (after our father’s 
death) residing in and near London. 

RALPH DISRAELI. 

December 21, 1885. 








LOUD BEACONSFIELD’S 
CORRESPONDENCE. 


1832 . 

Residence in London—“Contarini Fleming”—Bulwer’s reunion— 
Count d’Orsay—L. E. L.—Stands for Wycombe—Milman’s criti¬ 
cism of “Contarini”—Washington Irving—Introduced to Mrs. 
Wyndliam Lewis—Tom Moore—Effects of smoking—Ministry 
out—Return of the Whigs—Meets Peel at dinner—Herries— 
Polish Club—Tom Campbell—Criticisms on “ Contarini ”—Letter 
from Madame d’Arblay—End of season—Maclise—Return to 
Bradenham with Bulwer. 


London: February 18, 1832. 

My Dearest Sa, 

I am most comfortably located in Duke Street. ... I 
hear that Douce 1 has just purchased the Yellum Pliny of 
Payne, who procured it from Italy. It is said to be one 
of the finest MS. in the world, and Douce gave 300 
guineas for it. My manuscript 2 has been most graciously 
received, and is now passing the Albemarle St. ordeal. 
. . . We had a very brilliant reunion at Bulwer’s last 
night. Among the notables were Lords Strangford and 
Mulgrave, with the latter of whom I had a great deal of 

1 The literary antiquary, who left his collection to the Bodleian. 

3 Contarini Fleming . 



2 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

conversation; Count d’Orsay, the famous Parisian dandy; 
there was a large sprinkling of blues—Lady Morgan^ Mrs. 
Norton, L. E. L., etc. Bulwer came up to me, said 
“ There is one blue who insists upon an introduction.” 
“ Oh, my dear fellow, I cannot really, the power of repar¬ 
tee has deserted me.” “ I have pledged myseJf you must 
come;” so he led me up to a very sumptuous personage, 
looking like a full-blown rose, Mrs. Gore.* Albany Fon- 
blanque, 3 4 5 my critic, was in the room, but I did not see 
him. . . . The Mr. Hawkins who made a wonderful 
speech, and who, although he squinted horribly, was the 
next day voted a Cupidon, and has since lost his beauty 
by a failure, and many others, whom in this hurry I can¬ 
not recall—Charles Villiers, Henry Ellis, etc. I avoided 
L. E. L., who looked the very personification of Bromp- 
ton—pink satin dress and white satin shoes, red cheeks, 
snub nose, and her hair a la Sappho. 


February 22, 1832. 

I am writing a very John Bull book, which will quite 
delight you and my mother. I am still a Reformer, but 
shall destroy the foreign policy of the Grey faction. 
They seem firmly fixed at home, although a storm is 
without doubt brewing abroad. I think peers will be 
created, and Charley Gore has promised to let me have 
timely notice if Baring 6 be one. He called upon me, and 
said that Lord John often asked how I was getting on at 
Wycombe. He fished as to whether I should support 
them. I answered, “ They had one claim upon my sup¬ 
port; they needed it,” and no more. 

3 Authoress of several fashionable novels, 

4 Editor of the Examiner. 

5 Sir T. Baring, then M.P. for Wycombe; his elevation to the 

Peerage causing a vacancy for that borough. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 3 

March 1,1832. 

I dined with Bulwer yesterday, and met a French no¬ 
bleman, one of the Guizot school, paying a visit to this 
constitutional country. Lord Mulgrave was to have 
formed one of the party, but was unfortunately pre- 
engaged to Sir George Warrender, or rather Provender. 
Luttrell says that the two most disgusting things in the 
world, because you cannot deny them, are Warrender’s 
wealth and Croker’s talents. We had some amusing 
conversation, and our host, whatever may be his situation, 
is more sumptuous and fantastic than ever. Mrs. B. was 
a blaze of jewels, and looked like Juno; only instead of 
a peacock, she had a dog in her lap, called Fairy, and not 
bigger than a bird of paradise, and quite as brilliant. 
We drank champagne out of a saucer of ground glass 
mounted on a pedestal of cut glass.® 

March 5, 1832. 

I intend, if possible, to get down at the end of this 
week—Thursday or Friday—for a few days to see my 
constituents 7 —my constituents I hope they will be, al¬ 
though the Reform Bill is in a most crazy state, and 
now that the King has given the Earl a carte blanche , 
which he has undoubtedly, Lord Grey does not know 
what to do with it. I should not be overwhelmned if the 
Bill failed altogether. There will, however, be a dissolu¬ 
tion at all events. . . . 

The critic has responded, and beyond all our hopes. 
He was Milman, and the reason of his delay was that 
from a disorder in his eyes he cannot read, and therefore 
the work was read to him by Madame, which took time. 
I have not read his letter yet, because Murray gave it to 

« Open champagne glasses were then evidently a novelty. 

" Electors of High Wycombe. 


4 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


Lockhart. I can therefore only collect a general impres¬ 
sion from J. M., who, you know, is very vague; but he 
said that there had been nothing like the description and 
pictures of oriental life since Bruce, This is the only 
particular trait that I could extract, and that he looked 
forward to it with the same confidence as to “Childe 
Harold ” in spite of the times. Milman opposes the word 
“ Romance” in the title. 8 He says that nothing should 
disturb the reality of the impression or make the common 
reader for a moment suppose that every word is not true. 

I shall be down at Bradenham on Sunday, and able to 
remain a week, but shall be very busy, and employ you 
to your heart’s content. With regard to politics, I flatter 
myself I know as much as “Bob,” 9 but I really cannot 
pretend to say what is going to happen, although I may 
ascertain before to-morrow. If Lord Grey do not make 
peers he will go out, and perhaps finish his mortal as well 
as political career at the same time. . . . 

April 7, 1832. 

Herewith you receive what was not in time for yester¬ 
day’s coach, the “ Gallomania.” 10 I long to be with you. 
It is a great pleasure at last to come down with an empty 
head, and to feel that both books are completed. Wash¬ 
ington Irving’s works have been read of late only by the 
author, who is daily more enamoured of these heavy 
tomes. He demanded for the new one a large price. 
Murray murmured. Irving talked of posterity and the 
badness of the public taste, and Murray said that authors 
who wrote for posterity must publish on their own ac¬ 
count. 

8 Contarini Fleming : a Psychological Romance. 

9 Robert Smith, afterwards Lord Carrington. 

10 “ Gallomania,” England and France, a cure for the Ministerial 
Gallomania. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 5 

In the last “ Omnibus” 11 is an alphabetical poetical list 
of authors: 

I is Israeli, a man of great gumption, 

To leave out the D is a piece of assumption. 

April 28, 1832. 

The soiree last night at Bulwer’s was really brilliant, 
much more so than the first. There were a great many 
dames there of distinction, and no blues. I should, per¬ 
haps, except Sappho, who was quite changed; she had 
thrown off her Greco-Bromptonian costume and was per¬ 
fectly a la Franpaise, and really looked pretty. At the 
end of the evening I addressed a few words to her, of the 
value of which she seemed sensible. I was introduced, 
“ by particular desire,” to Mrs. Wyndham Lewis, a pretty 
little woman, a flirt, and a rattle; indeed, gifted with a 
volubility I should think unequalled, and of which I can 
convey no idea. She told me that she “ liked silent, mel¬ 
ancholy men.” I answered “ that I had no doubt of it.” 
... I did not observe many persons that I had seen be¬ 
fore. People address you without ceremony. A lady of 
more than certain age, but very fantastically dressed, 
came up to me to ask my opinion about a Leonardo da 
Yinci. She paid me the most ludicrous compliments. 
This was Lady Stepney. 

I had a long conversation with Lord Mulgrave, and a 
man talked to me very much, who turned out to be Lord 
William Lennox. In the course of the evening I stum¬ 
bled over Tom Moore, to whom I introduced myself. It 
is evident that he has read or heard of the “ Young Duke,” 
as his courtesy was marked. “ How is your head ?” he in¬ 
quired. “ I have heard of you, as everybody has. Did 
we not meet at Murray’s once ?” He has taken his name 

II A cheap literary satirical paper of the time. 


6 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

off the Athenseum, “ really Brooks is sufficient, so I shall 
not see your father any more.” Romohun Roy was there, 
and Haggi Baber Morier. A man addressed me by name 
and talked to me some time. I think it was George 
Lamb; the face I know, and he was evidently a man of 
distinction, a wit and a fine scholar. I remained in Hert¬ 
ford Street after the breaking-up, smoking. Colonel 
Webster, who married Boddington’s daughter, said to 
me, “Take care, my good fellow, I lost the most beautiful 
woman in the world by smoking. It has prevented more 
liaisons than the dread of a duel or Doctors’ Commons.” 
Then I replied, “You have proved that it is a very moral 
habit.” W. you know, although no Adonis, is a terrible 
rou'e. 

May 9, 1832. 

I write to tell you that the Ministers were turned out 
this morning at 12.30, and that the King has sent for 
Lord Harrowby. What is going to happen no one can 
predict. . . . 

May 12, 1832. 

This morning will settle the fate of the Ministry. I 
dine at Lord Eliot’s 12 sans fapon, and shall hear the re¬ 
sult. The Duke is Premier, having once refused on ac¬ 
count of his unwillingness to pass a Reform Bill. Peel 
will not join them, for the same reason, but is to work for 
them in the Lower House; Alexander Baring, Chancellor 
of the Exchequer; Lord Carnarvon, probably President; 
Leach, Chancellor. . . . “ Contarini” published next week. 
The review in the “ Literary Gazette” is by L. E. L., so 
Bulwer says. 

May 15, 1832. 

I very much fear that the Whigs are again in, and on 
their own terms. Such indeed is the report, but that is 


12 Afterwards Earl of St. Germains. 


LORD BEACONSPIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 


7 


only a shot founded on last night’s debate; but it is, I 
apprehend, a conjecture that will turn out to be a proph¬ 
ecy. I dined at Eliot’s on Saturday and met Colonel and 
Captain A’Court, brothers of Lord Heytesbury, and Lord 
Strangford. We had some delightful conversation and 
remained till a late hour. Strangford is an aristocratic 
Tom Moore; his flow is incessant and brilliant. The 
A’Courts very unaffected, hearty fellows. 


May 24, 1832. 

Yesterday I dined at Eliot’s, a male party consisting of 
eight. I sat between Peel and Herries, but cannot tell 
you the names of the other guests, although they were all 
members of one or other House; but I detected among 
them Captain York, whom I had met in the Levant. 
Peel was most gracious. He is a very great man indeed, 
and they all seem afraid of him. By the bye, I observed 
that he attacked his turbot most entirely with his knife, 
so Walker’s 13 story is true. I can easily conceive that he 
could be very disagreeable, but yesterday he was in a 
most condescending mood and unbent with becoming 
haughtiness. I reminded him by my dignified familiarity 
both that he was ex-minister and I a present Radical. 
Herries—old, gray-headed, financial Herries—turned out 
quite a literary man—so false are one’s impressions. The 
dinner was sumptuous, and we broke up late. Several 
persons came in in the evening, although Lady Jemima 
herself went off to Lady Salisbury’s. 

May 26, 1832. 

I received your letter yesterday, and the note you en¬ 
closed was from Beckford, to whom I had sent a copy of 
“ Contarini.” His answer is short, but very courteous. It 


18 Editor of the Original. 


8 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

commences with four exclamations. “ How wildly origi¬ 
nal ! How full of intense thought! How awakening ! 
How delightful!” This really consoles one for Mr. Pat¬ 
more’s criticism in the “ Court Journal.” On Thursday I 
dined at the Polish Club, with Montague Gore, Tom 
Campbell in the chair, and the guests, Prince Czartoriski, 
Mr. Thomas Atwood and the rest of the Birmingham 
Deputation. Although domestic politics are forbidden 
on this day, they could not refrain from breaking into 
them, and there was a consequent tumult. The Prince is 
a dignified and melancholy man, with fine head. None 
of the Birmingham heroes are above par, although there 
is a simplicity about Atwood which is pleasing. His or¬ 
ganization very inferior, his voice good, his pronunciation 
most vicious and Warwickshire, altogether a third-rate 
man. His colleague Scholefield, quite devoid of talent, 
and the rest poor things. The Rev. Dr. Wade, a drunken 
parson without an idea, but with the voice of a bullock, 
which they mistake for oratory. I had my health drank 
by the Poles, and made a speech. Campbell was quite 
idiotic. Among the guests was little Fox, the Unitarian 
minister, who is a capital fellow, and likes my novels, 
which for a Radical, a Unitarian, and a Utilitarian is 
pretty well. 

May 28, 1882. 

Amid abundance of praise and blame of “ Contarini,” 
one thing which we all expected is very evident, that not 
one of the writers has the slightest idea of the nature or 
purposes of the work. As far as I can learn, it has met 
with decided success. Among others, Tom Campbell, 
who, as he says, never reads any books but his own, is 
delighted with it; “ I shall review it myself,” he exclaims, 
“ and it will be a psychological review.” Have you read 
the review in the “ Monthly,” where I am accused of athe¬ 
ism because I retire into solitude to write novels ? 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


9 


July 5, 1832. 

I hear Miss Laurence 14 has turned violent Tory and 
chassdd Spence and Petit from Ripon. Giovanni balled 
on me (announced by the servant as Don Giovanni ). 
He has left Clay and brought me a lock of Byron’s hair, 
from Venice, which he cut himself off the corpse at Mis- 
solonghi. 

“ Contarini ” seems universally liked, but moves slowly. 
The stanchest admirer I have in London, and the most 
discerning appreciator of “ Contarini,” is old Madame 
d’Arblay. I have a long letter which I will show you— 
capital! I hope to be down in a few days. I have been 
very idle, the natural consequence of former exertion, but 
shall soon buckle to among our beeches. Mind I tell you 
a good story about myself and Tom Ashburnham—a 
story of resemblance and mistakes, as good as the Hro- 
mios. It is very good, but too long for a letter. 

August 4, 1832. 

Town is fast emptying. I have been lately at the 
House of Commons, and one night had a long conversa¬ 
tion with my late antagonist and present representative. 15 
We are more than friendly. Hid I tell you I saw Ma- 
clise, who is very amusing, and tells me much about L. 
E. L., and the Bromptonian coteries ? There is no doubt 
that Lockhart has been principal contributor to “ Fraser” 
and one of the assailants of Bulwer. I shall have plenty 
of work for you when I come down. 


August 8, 1832. 

On Friday I shall pitch my tent in the green retreats 
of Bradenham, and Bulwer accompanies me. He wants 

14 The owner of Studley Royal. 

15 Colonel the Honorable Charles Grey. 


10 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

absolute retirement really to write, and all that. He is to 
do what he likes, and wander about the woods like a 
madman. 

I am anxious that he and my father should become bet¬ 
ter acquainted. Our sire never had a warmer votary. 
He said yesterday, “ If I were to fix, I should say your 
father was decidedly now at the top of the tree,* I tell 
you where he beats us all —in style. There is nothing 
like it.” 

I saw Tita to-day, who suggests that he shall return 
with me to Bradenham, and try our place. 


LORD BEACONSEIELD'S CORRESPONDENCE. 


11 


1833 . 

Visit to Bath with Bulwer—Writing “Alroy”—“Iskander”— 
Family dinner with Bulwer—Opera, the Brahams—Debate in 
House of Commons—Macaulay—Shiel, etc.—Prophetic remarks 
—“Ixion”—Fame of Maclise—Charles Mathews—Dinner with 
the Nortons—The Sheridan family—“ Alroy” published—Asked 
to stand for Marylebone—Public Amusements—“ What is He ?” 
—Love and marriage—Invitations—Caledonian ball—Marquise 
de Montalembert—Godolphin—Southend—Lady Cork—Malibran 
—Return to Bradenham. 

Bath: January 19, 1833. 

Bulwer and I arrived here on Monday, and have 
found the change very beneficial and refreshing. Such is 
the power of novelty, that the four or five days seem an 
age. I have written about fifty pages of a pretty tale 
about “ Iskander,” which will form a fine contrast to 
“ Alroy.” The type and page of “ Alroy” most original, 
striking, and beautiful. 

We are great lions here, as you may imagine, but have 
not been anywhere, though we have received several invi¬ 
tations, preferring the relaxation of our own society and 
smoking Latakia, which as a source of amusement, I sup¬ 
pose, will last a week. I like Bath very much. Bulwer 
and I went in late to one public ball, and got quite 
mobbed. 

January 29, 1833. 

I dined with Bulwer en famille on Sunday, “ to meet 
some truffles”—very agreeable company. His mother-in- 
law, Mrs. Wheeler, was there; not so pleasant, something 
between Jeremy Bentham and Meg Merrilies, very clever, 
but awfully revolutionary. She poured forth all her sys- 


12 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

terns upon my novitiate ear, and while she advocated the 
rights of woman Bulwer abused system-mongers and the 
sex, and Rosina played with her dog. 

February 7, 1838. 

Tuesday I went to the new opera at Drury Lane, and 
was introduced to the Brahams, on whom I have promised 
to call. Went to the House of Commons afterwards to hear 
Bulwer adjourn the House; was there yesterday during 
the whole debate—one of the finest we have had for 
years. Bulwer spoke, but he is physically disqualified for 
an orator, and, in spite of all his exertions, never can 
succeed. He was heard with great attention, and is evi¬ 
dently backed by a party. Heard Macaulay’s best 
speech, Shiel and Charles Grant. Macaulay admirable; 
but between ourselves, I could floor them all. This entre 
nous: I was never more confident of anything, than that 
I could carry everything before me in that House. 1 The 
time will come. . . . 

Grey spoke highly of my oratorical powers to Bulwer; 
said he never heard “ finer command of words.” “ Ixion” 
is thought the best thing I ever wrote, and two vols. of 
“Alroy” are printed. Maclise is making a noise. His 
Mokanna is exhibiting at the British Gallery, and is the 
picture of the year. 

February 28, 1833. 

On Monday I met the Nortons and Charles Mathews, 
who was very amusing. After dinner we went off to see 
Miss Kelly, whom they thought very clever, but I thought 
a degrading imitation of old Mathews. Yesterday I 
dined with the Nortons; it was her eldest brother’s birth¬ 
day, who, she says, is “ the only respectable one of the 
family, and that is because he has a liver complaint.” 

1 Thirty-five years after, he was Prime Minister. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE, 13 

There were there her brother Charles and old Charles 
Sheridan, the uncle, and others. The only lady besides 
Mrs. Norton, her sister Mrs. Blackwood, also very hand¬ 
some and very Sheridanic. She told me she was nothing. 
“ You see Georgy’s the beauty, and Carry’s the wit, and I 
ought to be the good one, hut then I am not.” I must 
say I liked her exceedingly; besides, she knows all my 
works by heart, and spouts whole pages of “ V. G.” and 
“ C. F.” and the “ Y. D.” In the evening came the 
beauty, Lady St. Maur, and anything so splendid I never 
gazed upon. Even the handsomest family in the world, 
which I think the Sheridans are, all looked dull. Clusters 
of the darkest hair, the most brilliant complexion, a con¬ 
tour of face perfectly ideal. In the evening Mrs. Norton 
sang and acted, and did everything that was delightful. 
Ossulston came in—a very fine singer, unaffected and 
good-looking. Old Mrs. Sheridan—who, by the bye, is 
young and pretty, and authoress of “Carwell”—is my 
greatest admirer; in fact the whole family have a very 
proper idea of my merits! and I like them all. 

March 6, 1838. 

“Alroy” was published yesterday; half the edition 
subscribed, which in these times is very good. I dined 
with my new friend Munro, a bachelor, who lives in 
Park Street in a gallery of magnificent pictures. The 
company: Lord Arthur Lennox, General Phipps, Poulett 
Scrope, Wilkie, Turner Westmacott, and Pickersgill. A 
costly banquet. 

Beckford has sent me a large-paper copy of “ Vathek” 
in French; only twenty-five printed. At Forbes’ I met, 
amongst others, Castlereagh, whom I like; he is full of 
animal spirits, unaffected and amusing, but with no bal¬ 
last. 


14 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


March 26, 1833. 

Of “ Alroy” I hear golden opinions, and I doubt not 
of its success. I send you the review in the “Atlas.” 
There was also one in the “ Town” still more eulogistic. 
I hear no complaints of its style, except from the critics. 
The common readers seem to like the poetry and the ex¬ 
citement. Mrs. Jameson told Otley that “reading it 
was like riding an Arab.” Slade, the traveller, said “ it 
was the most thoroughly Oriental book he had ever 
read.” 

April 8, 1833. 

I have agreed to stand for Marylebone, but I shall not 
go to the poll unless I am certain, or very confident; 
there is even a chance of my not being opposed. In the 
“ Town” yesterday, I am told, “ some one asked Disraeli, 
in offering himself for Marylebone, on what he intended 
to stand. ‘ On my head,’ was the reply.” 

I have heard nothing more from-, who appears to 

have pocketed more than I should like to do. It was im¬ 
possible to pass over attacks from such a quarter in 
silence. The only way to secure future ease is to take 
up a proper position early in life, and show that you will 
not be insulted with impunity. 

April 25, 1833. 

I have done nothing but go to the play lately, one 
night with Mrs. Norton to see Sheridan Knowles’s new 
play, which was successful. Public amusements are tedi¬ 
ous, but in a private box with a fair companion, less so. 
To-morrow, great breakfast at the Wyndham Lewis’s, 
when magnificent plate is to be presented from Maid¬ 
stone to our host, the defeated Conservative. 

April 30, 1833. 

There is an attack in the “ Morning Herald ” on “ What 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 15 

is He ?” where the author is advised to adhere to the 
region of romance. Such attacks are not very disagree¬ 
able, for you have no idea of the success of the pamphlet, 
which is as much a favorite with the Tories as the Rads. 
The recent expos'e of the Whigs proves me a prophet. 

May 22. 

There was a review in Hyde Park, and the Wyndham 
Lewises gave a d'ejeuner , to which I went. By the bye 

would you like Lady Z-for a sister-in-law, very clever, 

25,000?., and domestic ? As for “ love,” all my friends 
who married for love and beauty either heat their wives 
or live apart from them. This is literally the case. I 
may commit many follies in life, hut I never intend to 
marry for “ love,” which I am sure is a guarantee of in¬ 
felicity. . . . 

June 29. 

I intend to write a short tale 2 for your bazaar, and will 
let you have it in a week or so. My table is literally 
covered with invitations, and some from people I do not 
know. I dined yesterday with the St. Maurs, to meet 
Mrs. Sheridan. An agreeable party ; the other guests, 
Lady Westmoreland, very clever ; Mrs. Blackwood, Lord 
Clements, and Brinsley. Lord St. Maur , 3 great talent, 
which develops itself in a domestic circle, though other¬ 
wise shy-mannered. In the evening a good soir'ee at 
Lady Charleville’s. I met Lady Aldhoro’, hut the lion 
of the evening was Lucien Bonaparte, the Prince of 
Canino. I went to the Caledonian Ball after all, in a 
dress from my Oriental collection. Particulars when we 
meet. Yesterday, at Mrs. Wyndham’s, I met Joseph 
Bonaparte and his beautiful daughter. 

3 Velvet Lawn. 

8 The late Duke of Somerset. 


16 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Have you read “ England and the English” ? I think 
it is delightful. Bulwer has written to me to say that 
understanding that I give my opinion in society that 
he is “ Godolphin,” and that is quite enough from our in¬ 
timacy to convince every one, he solemnly assures me he is 
not the author, etc. etc. There now can be no doubt of 
it. 

I was at “ the cream of blueism” the other night, at 
Madame la Marquise de Montalembert’s, but can hardly 
tell you who was there, as I was instantly presented to 
Lady Lincoln, Beckford’s granddaughter, and she en¬ 
grossed my attention. Handsome, brilliant, and young, 
but with one great fault, a rabbit mouth. 


July 8, 1883. 

I can answer for Southend being very pretty. I am 
staying at an old grange, with gable ends and antique 
windows, which Alderman Heygate turned into a very 
comfortable residence, and which is about half a mile 
from the town, a row of houses called a town. Sir W. 
Heygate passing through dined here yesterday. He says 
that he received upwards of 1200 letters in one year, in 
consequence of Ady the Quaker 4 describing him in his 
circulars as his “voluntary referee;” letters from all 
classes, bishops, generals, even royalty, the Princess Au¬ 
gusta. I have been introduced by Mrs. Norton to a rival 
poetess, Lady Emmeline Wortley, her person more beau¬ 
tiful than her poetry. 

July 20, 1833. 

I am putting my house in order and preparing for a 
six months’ sojourn and solitude amid the groves of 
Bradenham. As far as one can form any calculations in 


4 The then notorious Joseph Ady. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 17 

this sublunary world, I shall pitch my tent among you 
the end of July, but this need not interfere with your 
visit to Oxford, as, with deference be it spoken, I am not 
frightened at being alone. London is emptying fast, 
but gay. Lady Cork had two routs. “ All my best peo¬ 
ple, no blues.” At a concert at Mrs. Mitford’s I was 
introduced to Malibran, who is to be the heroine of my 
opera. She is a very interesting person. 


Aug. 4, 1833. 

My letters are shorter than Napoleon’s, but I love you 
more than he did Josephine. I shall be down to-morrow, 
but very likely by the mail, as I have a great many things 
to attend to. 


18 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1834. 

Out with the hounds—Engaged in writing—Dinner at Gore House 
—Focus of Durham party—Fears of a dissolution—Interviews 
with three remarkable men—Society—Meets Lyndhurst—Politi¬ 
cal agitation—Water party—Portrait taken by D’Orsay—Issues 
address to electors of High Wycombe. 

Southend: February 15, 1834. 

I hunted the other day with Sir Henry Smythe’s 
hounds, and although not in pink, was the best mounted 
man in the field, riding an Arabian mare, which I nearly 
killed; a run of thirty miles, and I stopped at nothing. 
The only Londoner I met was Henry Manners Sutton, 
who had come over from Mistley Hall. He asked me to 
return with him; but as Lady Manners was not there, I 
saw no fun and refused. Write and tell me what you are 
doing. As for myself, I pass my days in constant com¬ 
position. I live solely on snipes, and ride a good deal. 
You could not have a softer climate or sunnier skies than 
this much-abused Southend. Here there are myrtles in 
the open air in profusion. 

May — 1834. 

I am so busy with my poem, 1 which I hope to have out 
in a fortnight, if things are quiet. But the Ministry at 
present are quite broken up; there is no Government, and 
perhaps there will be a dissolution. I hope not. On 
Monday I dined with Lady Blessington, the Prince of 
Moskova, Charles Lafitte, Lords Castlereagh, Elphinstone, 
and Allen, and Mr. Talbot. Lord Wilton was the ab- 


1 The Revolutionary Epick. 



LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 


19 


sent guest, having to dine with the king; hut he came 
in the evening. He is very handsome. Hope’s ball on 
Monday was the finest thing this year—supped off gold, 
and danced in the sculpture gallery. To-day is the 
Drawing-room; but nobody thinks of anything but poli¬ 
tics. I dine with O’Connell on Saturday. I breakfasted 
with Castlereagh a few days back. He has a fine collec¬ 
tion of Turquoise seme. 


June 4, 1834. 

There is a lull in the storm; it is supposed the session 
will now be hurried over quietly, and then something 
must be determined on. The Whigs cannot exist as a 
party without taking in Lord Durham, and the king will 
not consent to it. Durham is not in a hurry, and becomes 
each day more violent in his demands. Triennial parlia¬ 
ments to be a Cabinet measure, and an extension of the 
constituency, the ballot to stand on its merits—in short, 
a revolution; for this must lead to a fatal collision with 
the House of Lords. The Tories will not take office un¬ 
less the Whigs give it up in despair. My own opinion is, 
that in the recess the king will make an effort to try and 
form a Conservative government with Peel and Stanley; 
but the Tories think that Durham will have his way. I 
fear a dissolution must be the end of it. I was at Lady 
Dudley Stuart’s on Sunday—a pleasant circle—and made 
the acquaintance of Lord Hertford. I dine with Lady 
Cork to-day, to meet the Mulgraves, Tavistocks, and Lin¬ 
colns. D. 

June 16, 1834. 

I made Beckford’s acquaintance at the opera on Thurs¬ 
day. He told me that he would send a copy of his travels 
to my father as well as one to myself, but neither has yet 


20 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

arrived. He says “ Mejnoun and Leila” a is capital, and 
he amused me very much. 

Gore House is the great focus of the Durham party. I 
dined yesterday with Lady Blessington, and Durham 
among the guests, and he talked to me nearly the whole 
evening ; afterwards to Lady Salisbury’s. 

Thus I have had three interviews of late with three re¬ 
markable men who fill the public ear at present—O’Con¬ 
nell, Beckford, and Lord Durham. The first is the man 
of the greatest genius, the second of the greatest taste, and 
the last of the greatest ambition. 

June 19, 1834. 

1 was at the Duchess of St. Albans’ on Monday, but 
rather too late for the fun. I missed the morris-dancers. 
Tuesday Lady Essex and opera, and to-night I am going 
to the Duchess of Hamilton’s. I have had great success 
in society this year. I am as popular with the dandies as 
I was hated by the second-rate men. I make my way 
easily in the highest set, where there is no envy, malice, 
etc., and where they like to admire and be amused. 

July 11, 1834. 

We remain herein breathless agitation. 2 3 I can give 
you no idea of the state of excitement. At this moment 
nothing is settled. Lords Lansdowne and Melbourne 
were with the king all yesterday. Massey Stanley brought 
the news to the opera on Tuesday at nine o’clock. I was 
in Lady B.’s box. No one would believe it. On Wednes¬ 
day at Lady Cork’s was the Duke of Wellington, in high 
spirits, but saying everywhere the Tories would not take 
office. Fonblanque, who was there, said the Tories were 

2 A Persian romance by our father. 

3 Lord Grey having resigned, Lord Melbourne became Premier. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD^S CORRESPONDENCE. 21 

like a woman who fancies herself enceinte and goes about 
saying it is not yet her time. ... I made my debut at 
Almack’s with a subscription from Lady Tankerville, but 
it was not a very brilliant reunion. Yesterday I met Lord 
Lyndhurst, whom I like very much. The next time he 
goes the Norfolk circuit he is to sleep at Bradenham. He 
says the Duke of Wellington never reads any book but 
the " Commentaries,” and assured me it was a positive 
fact! 

July 23, 1834. 

I still adhere to my plan of being down with you in a 
week or ten days, and tell Tita to get my pipes in order, 
as I look forward to a batch of smoking with great zest. 

I go every day to f6tes and water parties. Lady Tavis¬ 
tock’s at Richmond on Saturday. Monday another party 
to Blackwall with D’Orsay. To-morrow to Lord Hert¬ 
ford’s. I find the end of the season more fatiguing than 
the beginning, owing to the morning festivities. The 
water party at the “ Cedars” most delightful. We em¬ 
barked at five o’clock, the heavens very favorable, sang 
all the way down, wandered in beautiful gardens worthy 
of Paul Veronese, full not only of flowers, but fountains 
and parroquets: the dinner first-rate and much better 
than cold, miserable picnics, in which all bring the same 
things. People are still in town, but Goodwood will, I 
think, clear us. 

November 4, 1834. 

I dined on Saturday with Lyndhurst en famille. A 
more amiable and agreeable family I never met. The 
eldest daughter, “ Sa,” is just like her mother, and al¬ 
though only thirteen, rules everything and everybody—a 
most astounding little woman. 

Yesterday I went to see the new actor, Denvil. He is 


22 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


deplorable, has not the slightest feeling, nor one physical 
or mental qualification for the stage. I saw Chandos 4 5 to¬ 
day, and had a long conversation with him on politics. 
He has no head, but I flatter myself I opened his mind a 
little. . . . D’Orsay has taken my portrait. 6 

November 28, 1884. 

The Duke and the Chancellor 6 are besetting old Car¬ 
rington in my favor, that they say he must yield. I am 
not sanguine, but was recommended to issue the address. 7 
D’Orsay is working Bob Smith very hard. The Duke 
wrote a strong letter to the chairman of election com¬ 
mittees, saying that if Wycombe were not insured some¬ 
thing else must be done for Disraeli, as “ a man of his 
acquirements and reputation must not be thrown away.” 
L. showed me the letter, but it is impossible to say how 
things will go. Entre nous , Parliament will not be dis¬ 
solved as speedily as is imagined, which is all in my 
favor, both as regards Wycombe or any other place. It 
is impossible for any one to be warmer than the Duke of 
Lyndhurst, and I ought to say the same of Chandos. I 
had a long conversation to-day with Charles Grey. He 
is bitter against the Smiths, but says they can only com¬ 
mand ten or twelve votes. 

4 Late Duke of Buckingham. 

5 Vide Frontispiece. 

6 Lord Spencer having died, the king dismissed Lord Melbourne’s 
Ministry, and sent to Rome for Sir Robert Peel, Lord Lyndhurst 
being made Chancellor. 

7 To the electors of High Wycombe. 




LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


22 


1835 . 

Dinner to Lord Abinger—Meets Gladstone—Criticisms—Politics- 
Peel’s speech—Division on address—Anticipated defeat of Gov¬ 
ernment—Influenza—Whig Ministry formed—Stands for Taun¬ 
ton—Too late—Attack of O’Connell—Bound over to keep the 
peace—Great fancy ball—Costumes—Supper at Lyndhurst’s— 
JRosebank—Visits Bradenliam — Lyndhurst’s triumph—Annoy¬ 
ance of Melbourne—“ Morning Post.” 


January 20, 1835. 

I cannot bother myself with the “ Bucks Gazette.” I 
doubt not the impertinence was from Grey, who, how¬ 
ever, praises me much at Crockford’s, etc. Last Satur¬ 
day a dinner by the Chancellor to Lord Abinger 1 and the 
Barons of the Exchequer. There were also George Daw¬ 
son, myself, Praed, young Gladstone, Sir M. Shee, Sir J. 
Beresford, and Pemberton : rather dull, but we had a 
swan very white and tender, and stuffed with truffles, the 
best company there. The book is now fairly published ; 
there was a review of it in the “ Chronicle” to-day, and 
though of course hostile, calculated to advance it. I 
hear yesterday there was a notice in the “ Courier,” but 
the “ Times” is silent, why I know not. I cannot give 
you any news of its progress ; I always avoid my pub¬ 
lishers at these times, and the praises of friends are noth¬ 
ing. I have had letters from D’Orsay, Strangford, Chan- 
dos, all full of eulogium, but as to the result I can say 
nothing. 

1 Sir James Scarlett, appointed Chief Baron, vice Lord Lynd- 
liurst. * 


24 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


February 7, 1835. 

I dined with-yesterday, a male party, and amongst 

others a man of the name of Warren, author of the 
“ Diary of a Physician,” and more amusing than Charles 
Mathews. I called at Lady B.’s on my way home. 
Jekyll met Scarlett at her house for the first time after 
his elevation, and thus saluted him : “ I say, Scarlett, 
how came you to get hold of your new name ? I have 
heard of Porringer before and Scavenger, but never yet 
of Abinger!” My portrait, engraved by Lane from 
D’Orsay’s picture, is finished, and everybody who has 
seen it admires it; I hope to bring it down to you in a 
few days. I met a Miss Bissett the other day out at din¬ 
ner, who is a great friend of the Dash woods, and stays 
at Wycombe and knows Bradenham, etc., and makes out 
Dashwood is a great admirer of mine and reads “ Con- 
tarini ” out loud to the family-circle. Perhaps a fudge. 
Strangford is educating his second daughter himself, and 
they read the “ Curiosities” every morning. 

February 20, 1835. 

About last night’s debate—Peel did not speak well; 
Stanley 2 with great point and power ; Burdett, who had 
written to Lady Blessington, and promised to vote for 
Sutton, 3 saying that there was as much difference be¬ 
tween Abercromby and him “ as between a nutshell and 
the dome of St. Paul’s,” lost his courage, and sneaked off 
without voting ; Henry Stanley, who had promised me 
to vote for Sutton, voted for Abercromby. O’Connell is 
so powerful that he says he will be in the Cabinet. How 
can the Whigs submit to this ? It is the Irish Catholic 
party that has done all the mischief. 


2 The late Earl of Derby. 


For the Speakership. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 25 


February 26, 1835. 

Here there is only one topic, the division on the ad¬ 
dress. Peel made a powerful speech; Stanley con¬ 
strained and qualifying. His way is evidently not clear ; 
I cannot understand the game he is playing. On the 
Speakership he had no party. Now fifty men meet at his 
house every morning. Lyndhurst squabashed Brougham 
on Tuesday. 

Bob Smith met D’Orsay, who took his portrait at Willy 
Park and failed, and thus addressed him: “ So you have 
been making a fine portrait of Disraeli; I see you can 
make likenesses of those you like.” Very huffy indeed, 
and horribly jealous. 

April 1, 1835. 

I do not doubt myself that the Government will be in 
a minority on the present question, but this is not the 
cause of the malaise of the Tories. The fact is, their 
chief is worried by his wife, and she is nervous lest he 
should fight and all that. There is no more reason now 
that the Tories should go out than two months ago, and 
I cannot help believing that they will not. On Sunday I 
dined at the Chancellor’s, and ever since I have had a se¬ 
vere cold and been nowhere. The debate is considered 
at present to the credit of the Tories. To-night will be 
the grand one. 

April 4. 

I have not seen the Chancellor since Thursday. Peel 
is much firmer and the King quite so, but his Majesty 
cannot sleep. The decisive battle is to be fought on the 
Irish Tithe Bill, and we expect to win. Everybody has 
got the influenza; the Lord Chancellor has had an attack, 
and as you rightly expected myself, though mine was 
much modified to former years. 


26 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


April 13, 1835. 

As coalition , or, as the Whigs call it, amalgamation , 
is at the present moment impossible, Lord Melbourne4 
has, I understand, formed his Cabinet, and some of the 
writs will be moved for this evening. It is purely Whig, 
and consists entirely of the old hacks, Palmerston, Auck¬ 
land, Duncannon, etc. Granville Somerset sent for me to 
the Woods and Forests this morning to say if there was a 
fair opening the Tories would start me, etc. I was as¬ 
tonished at his courtesy and strong expressions of desire 
to see me in, and as it would get me out of his papa’s way 
at Wycombe, all the better. 


Castle Taunton: April 27, 1835. 

The county gentlemen for ten miles round flock to me 
every day, but I am obliged to decline all their invita¬ 
tions. As for Taunton itself, the enthusiasm of Wycombe 
is a miniature to it; and I believe in point of energy, elo¬ 
quence, and effect I have far exceeded all my former ef¬ 
forts. Had I arrived twenty hours sooner the result 
might have been in my favor; but my lateness in the field, 
the opposition of Ashburton’s agent, and the remembrance 
of Montague Gore’s cowardice have been great stumbling- 
blocks. It is astonishing how well they are informed in 
London of all that passes here, and how greatly they ap¬ 
preciate my exertions. They have opened a subscription 
for me at the Carlton headed by Chandos, who has written 
twice to me in the warmest manner. To-morrow is nomi¬ 
nation day. 

April 28, 1835. 

I have just left the hustings, and have gained the show 
of hands, which no blue candidate ever did before. This, 

4 Peel being defeated had resigned, and Lord Melbourne became 
Prime Minister April 18. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


27 


though an idle ceremony in most places, is of great ac¬ 
count here, for the potwallopers of Taunton are as elo¬ 
quent as those of Athens, and we gain votes by such a 
demonstration. I thought you would like to hear this, 
though I can write no more. 

Wednesday night, April 30, 1835. 

There is no place like Taunton: not that I can win this 
time* for Labouchere, who was twenty-four hours in ad¬ 
vance of me, has picked up many blues (my color); but 
come in at the general election I must, for I have prom¬ 
ises of two thirds of the electors. I live in a rage of en¬ 
thusiasm; even my opponents promise to vote for me next 
time. The fatigue is awful. Two long speeches to-day 
and nine hours’ canvass on foot in a blaze of repartee. I 
am quite exhausted and can scarcely see to write. 

May 6, 1835. 

I did not know yesterday when I wrote of the attack of 
O’Connell; it has engaged me ever since. I send you 
“ Times” and “ Morning Post.” There is but one opinion 
among all parties, viz., that I have squabashed them. I 
went to D’Orsay immediately. He sent for Henry Baillie 
for my second, as he thought a foreigner should not in¬ 
terfere in a political duel, but he took the management of 
everything. I never quitted his house till ten o’clock, 
when I dressed and went to the opera, and every one says 
I have done it in first-rate style. All particulars when we 
meet. 

May 9, 1835. 

This morning as I was lying in bed, thankful that I had 
kicked all the O’Connells and that I was at length to have 
a quiet morning, Mr. Collard, the police-officer of Maryle- 
bone, rushed into my chamber and took me into custody. 


28 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

In about an hour and a half, being dressed (having pre¬ 
viously sent to S-), we all went in a hackney-coach to 

the office, and where I found that the articles were pre¬ 
sented by a Mr. Bennett, residing in some street in West¬ 
minster, and an acquaintance of the O’Connells. We 
were soon dismissed, but I am now bound to keep the 
peace in 500?. sureties. As far as the present affair was 
concerned, it was a most unnecessary precaution, as if all 
the O’Connells were to challenge me I could not think of 
meeting them now. I consider and every one else that 
they are lynched. It is very easy for you to criticise, but 
I do not regret the letter : the expressions were well 
weighed, and without it the affair was but clever pamph¬ 
leteering. Critics you must always meet. W. told me 
the last letter was the finest thing in the English lan¬ 
guage, but that the letter to Dan was too long; others 
think that perfect. One does not like the Yahoo as 
coarse, others think it worthy of Swift, and so on. . . . 
The general effect is the thing, and that is, that all men 
agree I have shown pluck. 

July 20, 1835. 

Nothing has been talked of but the great fancy ball 5 
which came off last night, and exceeded in splendor any¬ 
thing ever known in London. My dress was very good, 
with some additions, such as a silken shirt with long 
sleeves, lent me by Henry Baillie. D’Orsay, Henry Bul- 
wer, myself, Massey Stanley, Talbot, Herbert, and Regina 
went in a party with the Chesterfields, Ansons, and Wor¬ 
cesters. We flattered ourselves we were by far the most 
distinguished there. Lady Chesterfield was a sultana, 
and Mrs. Anson a Greek, with her own hair lower than 

5 At the Hanover Square Rooms for the benefit of the Royal 
Academy of Music. 




LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


29 


the calf of her leg. She was the most brilliant in the 
room. Lady Burghesh, Lady Fitzroy Somerset, and Lady 
Sykes wore powder, the two first Louis XIV., the last 
a complete copy of a Sir Joshua. Lady Londonderry, 
as Cleopatra, was in a dress literally embroidered with 
emeralds and diamonds from top to toe. Castlereagh in¬ 
troduced me to her by her desire, and I was with her a 
great deal. Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Blackwood beautiful 
Greeks; but the finest thing was that at half-past two 
Lyndhurst gave a supper in George Street to eighty of 
the supremest ton and beauty, and you can conceive 
nothing more brilliant than his house illuminated with a 
banquet to a company so fancifully dressed. The Duke 
of Wellington, who was at the ball, was too tired to 
come. This great secession rather knocked up the ball, 
however, and everybody looked blue who was not going 
to Lyndhurst’s. He looked like a French marshal. Wil¬ 
ton was Philip IV., and the Duke lent him his golden 
fleece set in diamonds for the evening. 


July 24. 

I have since dined at Rosebank with the Londonderries. 
’Tis the prettiest baby-house in the world—a pavilion 
rather than a villa, all green paint, white chintz, and 
looking-glass. The grounds, however, are considerable, 
and very rich, bordering the Thames. The dinner was 
admirable, but no plate; porcelain fresh as the room, with 
a bouquet by every guest, and five immense pyramids of 
roses down the table. . . . Lyndhurst was quite delighted 
with his visit, and certainly Bradenham never looked to 
greater advantage. Yesterday he and I went to Rich¬ 
mond. 

I think it will be all over with the Ministry in the 
course of a fortnight; but the Tories will not dissolve 

3 


30 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Parliament until after the registration; this is the uni¬ 
versal impression, hut Peel frowns. I hope soon to be 
with you, but I cannot leave town till Lyndhurst has 
made his great speech. 

August 5, 1885. 

I can hardly trust myself to write about politics; the 
debate was dashing in the extreme. Lyndhurst’s speech 6 
by far the crack one—most bold and triumphant, and 
received with tumultuous cheering. I can give you no 
idea of the excited and at the same time depressed state 
of Melbourne. He seemed quite wild and scared. 
Brougham spoke very well, but his conduct is perplexing. 
He rather assists us than the reverse. The course taken 
was kept secret, and perfectly confounded the Whigs. 
It is an awful crisis, whatever may be the result. I can¬ 
not think of the hot weather or anything else. 

August 12, 1835. 

Lyndhurst has been very ill, and unable to go to the 
Lords, where he ought not to be absent a moment, as all 
depends upon him. However, Saturday and Sunday’s 
nursing brought him round. The Duke has formally re¬ 
signed to him the leadership of the House of Lords, and 
there is every probability of his being Prime Minister; 
his own disinclination alone stands in the way. To¬ 
morrow the war begins in the Lords. The speeches of 
counsel made a great impression, the evidence was capi¬ 
tal, the Lords united, and Lyndhurst has with his own 
hand drawn up their counter project. He could get no¬ 
body to assist him. His private secretary turned out an 
ass. Then he sent instructions to Merewether; the result 
of M.’s labors, who has studied the subject all his life, 


6 Municipal Corporations. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


31 


arrived when I was with Lyndhurst. They were put in 
the fire, or rather fireplace, about ten minutes after¬ 
wards. Time pressed, and L. literally had to draw every 
clause himself. This, with having to manage three agi¬ 
tated meetings, and to sit and watch the examination of 
witnesses from ten in the morning until twelve at night, 
knocked him up; but he is quite himself again, and full 
of force and spirit. But for him all would have been 
lost, and now everybody praises the stand the Lords 
have made, and the Whigs have entirely failed in get¬ 
ting up a crisis. 

August 14, 1835. 

There was a sharp engagement in the House of Lords last 
night. Melbourne is evidently so annoyed, that I cannot 
help fancying he will come down to-night and withdraw 
the Bill. The newspapers will give you the division; it 
is quite overwhelming, and proves that it is utterly useless 
to talk of swamping the House of Lords any more. Why 
I think Melbourne will not proceed with the Bill, is the 
evident mortification he expressed in countenance at the 
majority, and his refusal to divide again, on the more im¬ 
portant clauses too. Yet this majority he will have to 
face every night. 

Brougham was terribly tipsy. He shook his fist at 
Lord Wicklow, and quoted Ciceronian braggadocios. 
When he sat down he seemed quite maudlin, and all about 
nothing, for Lyndhurst spoke of him very gingerly, as 
he was absent, and he could not reply to him the night 
before, for B. always speaks to twelve o’clock, after which 
the House will listen to no one. It is wished the Whigs 
should resign on the Church question, which is the reason 
that makes me think they will go out on the Corporations. 

After all this is over, Lyndhurst will like to come down 
with me for a quiet week at Bradenham. 


32 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


August 20, 1835. 

There will be a division on Monday on the appropria¬ 
tion clause, when I suppose the Government will resign. 
I am strengthened in this supposition by the extraordi¬ 
nary fact that the King has just asked all the Ministers 
to dine with him, which is the only time he has done it 
since they have been in office. He evidently, for he is 
very cunning, does not wish them to say when out that 
they were never once asked, during the whole administra¬ 
tion, to the royal table. 

I have sent you the “ Morning Post ” every day, which 
is the only paper now read, and in whose columns some 
great unknown has suddenly risen, whose exploits form 
almost the sole staple of political conversation, and all 
conversation is now political. The back numbers for the 
last week cannot be obtained for love or money, and the 
sale has increased nearly^ one third. All attempts at dis¬ 
covering the writer have been baffled, and the mystery 
adds to the keen interest which the articles excite. 

To form any idea of our movements in this great 
“ crisis ” is very difficult. It was .whispered the Whigs 
meant to swallow the Corporation leek, not resign, and 
prorogue on Thursday; but the Radicals and Repealers 
will not bate a jot, and are as firm as the Lords. Should 
they continue intractable, Melbourne will immediately 
resign. L). 


LORD beacoksfield’s correspondence. 


33 


1836 . 

The Press—Dinner at Lyndhurst’s—Death of Mrs. Copley—“ Let¬ 
ters of Runnymede”—Marriage of Lord Carrington—Dissolution 
expected—Holland House—Pozzi di Borgo—Elected to the Carl¬ 
ton—Meeting at Apsley House—Opera—Continuation of political 
crisis—Dinner with Chandos—Henrietta Temple—Criticisms— 
Spanish news—Speech at Bucks meeting—Letter from Peel. 

January 4, 1836. 

The letters in the “ Times” have made a great sensation. 1 
I am the first individual who has silenced the press with 
its own weapons. On Thursday the “ Globe” made no 
answer; on Friday, in consequence of the taunting talk 
at the clubs, it reprinted my letter, with a snivelling 
leader, asking time (till to-day) to answer it ; but I feel 
confident that any fresh movement will only bring it 
fresh discomfiture. There are not two opinions about the 
result. The “ Chronicle” quite silent; the writers in that 
paper are known, and they absolutely fear being shown 
up by me. ’Tis a great thing to have such an organ for 
response as the “ Times.” This the “ Globe” did not count 
on. There was an article in “ The Age” yesterday, which 
I meant to have sent you to-day; but I fear I shall not get 
it in time. 

Yesterday I dined with Lyndhurst, and he gives his 
first political party for the season on Tuesday, when all 
the Tories in town will be scraped together. ... I read 
Heine, “ another one,” as Botta says. I have also read 
Henry Bulwer’s “ France,” very amusing, and Ranmer’s 

1 This refers to some abusive letters written in the Whig Globe of 
the day. 


34 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

“Historical Illustrations,” very curious, especially about 
Mary Queen of Scots. 

January 9, 1836. 

My dear Sa, 

It is so cold I can hardly write. What you say about 
Hallam surprises me. He is a very slow worker, and I 
have not seen the “ Athenaeum,” by which to judge 
whether it were an official paragraph or some blundering 
gossip. The sale of the “ Vindication” continues, and, 
though not quite so brisk, is in daily demand. I received 
to-day a letter from Eliot, which, from its length and the 
extreme warmth of its feeling, would quite surprise you. 
His copy did not reach him till the 6th. He says, among 
other things, “ In reading your sketch of Bolingbroke I 
could not help thinking that if opportunities are not 
withheld, you may become what he might have been.” 
He wants to know, by the bye, why I call the Orleans 
branch the House of Valois. I am sure I don’t know. 
Pray find out for me, and write your answer, if you catch 
one, as soon as possible. 

On Tuesday I dined at Lyndhurst’s, and met Lords 
Roden, Lowther, and Rosslyn, Sir E. Sugden, Sir II. 
Hardinge, Courtenay, Alderson, etc., and Lockhart, whom 
L. asked, that he might review the “Vindication.” 
Chance! he never spoke a word. He is known in society 
by the name of “The Viper;” but if he tries to sting me, 
he will find my heel of iron. 

Did I tell you the Duchess of St. Albans had sent me 
invitations to her Christmas festivities ? . . . I have just 
heard Mrs. Copley 2 has died, of pure old age. She was 
only ailing three or four days; her appetite quite failed, 
and she expired without a struggle. D. 


2 The mother of Lord Lyndhurst. 


LOED beaconsfield’s coeeespondence. 35 

January 29, 1836. 

The “ Letters of Runnymede” are the only things 
talked of in London, especially the latter ones. The au¬ 
thor is unknown, and will probably so remain. One or 
two papers have foolishly ascribed them to me. There 
^is certainly some imitation of my style, and the writer is 
familiar with my works. 

Lyndhurst returned last night, with the Duke, from 
Oatlands, where there has been a great gathering of 
Tories. Sa has had the measles slightly, Su so severely 
that her life was despaired of. Sophy is only ill from 
eating cocoa sweetmeat ! 

At Lady Blessington’s last night I passed two or three 
hours with Burdett, who was very engaging. He says he 
shall withdraw from Brooks’s if they don’t take up the 
business when the club meets, and that there has been 
nothing so bad as O’Connell since Robespierre. Jekyll, 
who was there, says of the new Lord Chancellor, that 
Pepys being bread to the bar naturally took to the rolls, 
and now is turned into cheese . 

Bulwer returned from Paris yesterday. Lord Carring¬ 
ton’s 3 marriage much talked of. Lady Stanhope was sent 
down to break it off, and he so humbugged her, that she 
thought she had succeeded, till the fatal morn. He has 
made a great settlement on the widow, who has nine 
children, all of whom Lady B. says in time she will per¬ 
suade him are his. 

January 19, 1836. 

Dearest, 

There is every indication of a crash in the political 
world. It is understood that the Whigs have at length 
resolved to dissolve Parliament. The law appointments 


3 The first Lord Carrington. 


36 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

excite great odium. Bickersteth is to be Lord Langdale; 
the Chancellor, Lord Cottenham; and Lady Campbell, 
Baroness Edendale. One can scarcely credit such buf¬ 
fooneries until we see them in the “ Gazette.” 

I see a review of the “ Vindication” announced in the 
“London Review.” What sort of a journal this I know 
not, but I suspect utilitarian, though how it differs from 
the “ Westminster” I cannot decide. 

Pozzo di Borgo, dining at Holland House, was compli¬ 
mented by miladi, who wished to pump him on his pro¬ 
phetic State paper in the “Portfolio.” He replied: “I 
am indifferent to any reputation I may obtain, either for 
what I write or for what I don’t write.” Then my lord 
tried; and he thought the Duke of Wellington must be 
very much annoyed. “Bagatelle,” said Pozzo; “he has 
had to do with too many State papers, real and false, to 
be annoyed by them.” “ But he is very susceptible for a 
great man,” rejoined my lord. “ As for his susceptibility, 
I have my doubts,” replied Pozzo; “as to his being a 
great man, I have none.” So they could get nothing out 
of him. . . . 

The M.P. for Cambridgeshire, who franks this letter, is 
living at Long’s, and is an old Malta friend of mine, a 
very good, agreeable young fellow. 


March 5, 1836. 

The “ Letters of Runnymede” are still making a great 
sensation. They are considered as rising regularly in 
power, and the two last, the characters of Lord J. R. and 
O’C., are generally esteemed the most powerful. The 
“London Review” is published; it is by Roebuck & Co. 
“ Fraser,” which is making some noise, is the highest eulogy 
I ever received, saying: “Swift observes, the appearance 
of a great genius in the world may always be known by 


LORD BEACONSFlELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 37 

the virulence of the dunces, and that this has been singu¬ 
larly illustrated in my case,” etc. Peel told Lyndhurst 
the last letter was the most powerful of all, so it is gen¬ 
erally esteemed. The incognito begins to make way; 
other names are mentioned, and Westmacott, whom I 
met yesterday, said at the theatre, Joe Parkes had asked 
him “ if he really knew as a fact who Runnymede was.” 
Now if Parkes hesitates, the mass must of course be 
mystified. My father told you of Warren; there is also 
a Mr. Harris who lives at Staines, I suppose near Runny¬ 
mede, whom Lady Burghesh said she had heard was the 
author. 

I met Eliot yesterday, who congratulated me on my 
speedy prospect of Parliament. I stared, and regretted 
there was no foundation for it, but pumped to discover 
if he had learned any details; he had not. I attribute 
these indiscreet whisperings to Chandos, and Freemantle 
told Eaton at the Carlton it was all settled, and gave him 
a long history of the Aylesbury row, adding I was the 
only man who could floor O’Connell. 

I carried the Carlton; the opposition was not inconsid¬ 
erable in the committee, but my friends were firm—400 
candidates, and all in their own opinion with equal claims. 
Though they elected me, I am sorry to say they black¬ 
balled H. 

London is full, but dull as to politics for the moment. 
To-night I am going to the Duchess of Kent’s bear¬ 
garden, and I am writing now at past six o’clock; but I 
went out at four o'clock to take caudle at Lady London¬ 
derry’s, and have been detained until this moment. 


D. 


38 


LOUD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


March 26, 1836. 

My thoughts are ever with you, though I write little, 
and cannot venture to write on things I wish. I think a 
catastrophe in foreign politics is impending ; it looks as 
if it were all up with the Queen of Spain, and, after all, 
this may turn out the Whigs. If things go on as they 
promise, you will never regret my long visit to London, 
and I can assure you I shall enjoy the day when I may 
come and have a quiet smoke at Bradenham, first embrac¬ 
ing you all, before my lips are tainted with the fumes of 
Gibel. I want information as to the superstitions and 
other qualities ascribed to precious stones. Can you put 
your hand easily upon anything of the kind ? 

I dined the other day with Henry Baillie, who has taken 
D’Orsay’s old house in Curzon Street. Lord Ashley, 
D’Anschald, Charles Forrester, Dr. Quin, who is the 
most amusing personage possible; Costa, the director of 
the opera; and others. At the great meeting at Apsley 
House Lyndhurst developed his plan, and they entered 
into an engagement on no account to falter. A dissolu¬ 
tion is generally apprehended among the well-informed. 

My barling Sister, The Carlton: April 18, 1836. 

Ralph tells me you are about to become a trav¬ 
eller; I hope you will remember me en route , and send me 
a letter from every inn and resting-place. The Whigs 
have announced that they are prepared to give up the 
Appropriation Clause, vide the “ Times.” I have just now 
learned from a member come up from the House, that they 
have introduced the Appropriation Clause this afternoon. 
Can you conceive a more perfect exposure ? O’Connell 
must have threatened them in the interim to some effect; 
besides, it proves the loudly whispered differences in the 
Cabinet. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 39 

The opera is very good this year, and Carlotta Grisi 
the great dancer. There is a report in the “ Times” of the 
Lewes banquet. About my pledging myself to come for¬ 
ward is a mendacious flourish, but does not matter. The 
Carlton is a great lounge, and I have found a kind friend 
in Francis Baring—Lord Ashburton’s eldest son. 

April 30,1836. 

Your violets were most acceptable; in fact the spring this 
year seems postponed : if it were not for your flowers, I 
should believe it was still winter. S., who has gone to 
Paris for a week, writes that he has suffered from snow on 
his road. There is nothing in politics ; the debate in the 
Lords the other night was spirited, and has put our party 
in good courage. Lord Holland, however, spoke well, the 
Chancellor contemptible. Lyndhurst has on both occa¬ 
sions greatly distinguished himself. . . . 


June 13, 1836. 

The crisis goes on. The general impression is that the 
Ministers are going to play 1832 over again, and resign 
with the idea we cannot form a Government. Nothing 
can give you an idea of the excitement prevailing in the 
political circles, but I am not inclined to change my opin¬ 
ion, viz., that there will be no dissolution. Lyndhurst, who 
has been dining with the Duke, confirms what I have 
heard; the battle cannot be fought better than at present. 
I dine to-day at Bath House, and on Saturday with Bulwer 
at the Priory, with whom I shall stay a day or two. 

I have agreed to let Colburn have a novel, to be pub¬ 
lished on October 1, and for a greater sum than I have 
ever yet received. I have a volume by me finished, but 
this I did not tell him. . . . Lyndhurst’s speech was 
really a masterpiece; since Canning there has been noth* 


40 LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDEKCE. 

ing like it. O’Connell came into the House, but, he will 
have it, after L. had done speaking about him. However, 
he was there, and it was a grand hit, for everybody 
believed him to be there. The Commons were cowed 
last night; Lyndhurst’s dash has daunted them ; John 
Russell was really feeble; and O’Connell furiously tame. 
In the mean time, I am brought forward with great trump¬ 
eting in leading articles of the “Chronicle.” Both Lynd- 
hurst and Sir R. Peel are said to have adopted Mr. 
Disraeli’s view of the Constitution, etc., etc. D. 

June 15, 1836. 

Chandos is going to give a grand fish dinner on the 18 th 
to the leaders of both Houses, and has asked me, the only 
man not a member of the House. I have dined with 
Baring Wall, in a house the most beautiful I ever entered, 
built by Kent; domed staircases, landing-places supported 
by Corinthian columns, and a grand salon, which, for its 
height, carving, gilding, and richly painted ceiling, ex¬ 
ceeded anything I ever saw in a private house. Our din¬ 
ner was worthy of the “ veritable Amphitryon” of London, 
and was served off a set of Dresden china, of the most 
marvellous beauty ; the candelabra in the middle, of 
immense size, and covered with groups of shepherds and 
shepherdesses, the whole mounted on green velvet; even 
the salt-cellars and handles of knives and forks were china, 
most charming in this weather ; our party eight—Redes- 
dale, Ashley, Freemantle, F. Baring, Mildmay, and 
Bagot. 


July, 1836 

We had a most agreeable party at the Ashburtons’. 
Bankes, who was there, says that in looking over his 
father’s papers he has found some curious, of the time of 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 41 

Charles I., belonging to his ancestors who tried Hamp¬ 
den—some letters between the King, I think, and Lord 
Northumberland, etc.—and that they are at my father’s 
service. The Baring family are disposed to be very 
friendly. My old friend Pery, in the shape of Lord 
Glentworth, is going to be married to Maria Villebois—a 
fortunate woman, I think, to find herself a Countess 
after all. Lord Limerick has received the announcement 
amicably, but is on such bad terms with his grandson, 
that I fear he will be cut down to the entail, not half 
Lord Limerick’s fortune, which is upwards of 30,000£. 
per annum. 

Chandos’ dinner was a banquet. I was the only per¬ 
son there not an M.P. Peel and Sir James Graham were 
there; the first came up to me and resumed our acquaint¬ 
ance most flatteringly. Chandos introduced me to Gra¬ 
ham. They went down by water, but I accompanied 
Lyndhurst. We came home in two omnibuses hired for 
the nonce. 

There is a confusion in the Cabinet about the English 
Church ; to-night was to have been a grand debate, and 
the Tories were to cave the Whigs ; but this morning 
there has been a meeting at the Foreign Office, and no 
house made. All is perplexity ; but the Tories in high 
spirits. I think Parliament will soon be prorogued, but 
we may have some diversion before. The Ministers wish 
the King to introduce in his speech some reflections on 
the Lords, but his Majesty has refused. They ought to 
resign, and threaten, but I suppose will not. . . . What 
do you think of Spain ? Trelawny, who is a republican, 
is in raptures with the prospects. “ The Spaniards,” he 
says, “ are in advance of all countries ; they have got 
their constitution of 1812 !” Says James Smith, “ I wish 
I had got mine.” Some one said that “ after all ‘ Fra- 


42 LORD beaconsfield's correspondence. 

ser’s 5 is the cream of magazines.” “ Whipped 4 cream, I 
suppose,” said another. I find no letter here from you. 

August 20, 1836. 

I suppose you have recognized four bolts of veritable 
Olympian thunder in the “Times.” It is considered 
worthy of Jove, and nobody can discover behind what 
cloud the god is shrouded. 

In a few days I give my MS. 5 to the printer, and then 
I shall at once proceed to Bradenham. Lyndhurst seems 
half inclined to come with me. There is no news, save a 
highly eulogistic review of the author of “ Runnymede” 
in the “ Monthly Report,” a Radical magazine, written 
by Fox the preacher. 

October 15, 1836. 

. . . News arrived here from Spain, from which it 
appears all is over with the Liberals. Gomez, so often 
defeated, has entered Cordova, has been joined by an 
immense force of the old Royalist volunteers of the time 
of Ferdinand, and, at the head of an irresistible army, is 
now marching straight to Madrid, without any idea of 
opposition. Peel is in town, but Lyndhurst still at Paris. 
O’Connell makes no reply ; all the Irish papers taunt 
him. The “Warder” says “he can find time to attack 
Fraser, O’Connor, and D. W. Harvey, and to call Mr. 
Lascelles a blockhead, but why does he not answer Dis¬ 
raeli? ‘Will not the dog dissected alive give another 
howl?’” All the country papers are full of it. Lord 
Strangford, who came up from Strathfieldsaye last night, 
began, “ You have no idea of the sensation your speech 
has produced at Strathfieldsaye.” I said, “ Oh, my lord, 

4 Grantley Berkeley having horsewhipped Fraser. 

6 Henrietta Temple . 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 


43 


you always say agreeable things.” He took me aside and 
said, “I give you my honor as a gentleman that the 
Duke said at the dinner-table, ‘It was the most manly 
thing done yet ; when will he come into Parliament ? 5 ” 

Strangford said he had not yet seen my novel (“ Hen¬ 
rietta Temple”), and there was only one person at the 
Duke’s who had read it—Lady Wilton. She said she 
had cried so much that she had excited all their curiosity. 
Bulwer tells me that at Lady Charlotte Bury’s the other 
night he only heard one report, “ Tears, tears, tears,” so 
he supposes I am right and he is wrong. Colburn is in 
high spirits about “ H. T.” He says he shall not be con¬ 
tent unless he works it up like “Pelham.” There were 
many reviews yesterday. You have of course seen the 
“ Athenaeum;” they were all in that vein, but highly cal¬ 
culated to make people read, if that were wanted; but it 
is not. 

The “ Spectator” said of the Bucks meeting, that the 
“ speaking, on the whole, was as stupid as usual, except 
Mr. Disraeli, who, after a little of his usual rhodomontade 
about the Peers being the founders of liberty, grew abu¬ 
sive and amusing,” and then quoted the Shakespearian 
passage. 

December, 1836. 

Do write me some news. I dined tete-a-tete with 
Bulwer yesterday, who thinks my speech the finest in 
the world, and my novel the very worst! But he made 
me promise not to mention that he said this, as he would 
not have ventured to say so had the book not been suc¬ 
cessful. I boldly defended it, and he says he will read it 
again, for he read it at night and all three volumes at 
once. Lord Henniker is going to marry Miss Kerrison— 
Lady Mahon’s sister. There is no news, and I hope to be 
down in a week. 


44 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

The letter that was sent on to me was from Sir Robert 
Peel. I sent him a copy, 6 late and grudgingly, with a 
cold dry note, convinced that he would never notice or 
even confess to having heard of it, being, as you well 
know, by reputation the most jealous, frigid, and haughty 
of men. This is what he says : “ I beg to return you my 
best thanks for that copy of your work respecting the 
House of Lords, for which I am indebted to your kind at¬ 
tention and consideration. It is not the only one in my 
possession, for, attracted as well by your name as by 
some extracts from the work in the public papers, which 
struck me as very forcibly written, I had taken the first 
opportunity of procuring a copy, and was gratified and 
surprised to find that a familiar and apparently exhausted 
topic could be treated with so much of original force, of 
argument, and novelty of illustration. I thank you, 
both for the work itself and the satisfaction which 
the reading of it has afforded me. I have the honor to be 
yours faithfully and obliged, Robert Peel.” 

Lyndhurst thinks this is much , considering the writer. 

6 Vindication of the English Constitution. 


LOED BEACONSEIEU/S COEEESPONDENCE. 


45 


1837. 

Influenza epiuemic—Due de Grammont—Writing “ Venetia”—On 
Burdett’s Committee—Illness of King—Concert at Bridgewater 
House—Reviews of “ Venetia”— 1 The King’s death—Queen pro¬ 
claimed—Excitement at Carlton—Canvassing at Maidstone—Re¬ 
turned—Lyndhurst’s marriage—Takes his seat—Queen opens 
Parliament—First night—Dinner with Peel—Sheriff’s petitions— 
Maiden speech—Failure—Shiel’s encouragement—Animal mag¬ 
netism—New edition of “Curiosities”—Speech on copyright— 
The ear of .the House. 

February 6, 1837. 

There is no news except intrigues of Lord Grey & 
Co. to join the Tories; the thing will crawl on a little 
longer, I think, and dissolve of itself. Lord Harrowby 
is dangerously ill, which will be awkward for Liverpool. 
Lady Cork is dead, aged 90. It is supposed the debate 
on Ireland that has begun may last three nights. I 
had a letter from Lyndhurst dated “ Beauvais,” therefore 
he may be expected daily or hourly. People are dying 
here by dozens. I have just heard a report that the 
young Lady Glengall is dead. D’Orsay and myself, how¬ 
ever, defy the disorder with a first-rate cook and gener¬ 
ous diet and medicated vapor-baths. Strangford (did I 
tell you ?) came up from Alnwick for the Kentish meet¬ 
ing, and on his arrival in town was instantly seized and 
confined for eight days to his bed. 

L. E. L. is at last really going to be married, but to an 
obscure man whom you never heard of. He has some 
foreign appointment, where he will take her. My father 

should read Chateaubriand. With all his want of knowl- 
4 


46 


LORD BEACONSFIELD^S CORRESPONDENCE. 


edge, coxcombry, and book-making, there are many fine 
and curious passages in reference to the great subject. 

February, 1837. 

I have entirely baffled the influenza by the medicated 
air-bath; otherwise I should have had a most severe at¬ 
tack, I am certain. All that can be done at present in 
politics has been arranged; we wait for events. The 
Whigs and Tories watch each other like a cat and dog, 
and neither will make the first move. The Duke is for 
the tactics of last session, and I think under the circum¬ 
stances he is right. Melbourne is pledged to bring the 
Irish Question forward, and if again defeated, as is cer¬ 
tain, he will dissolve or resign. Through the whole re¬ 
cess there has scarcely been a single Cabinet Council, in 
consequence of the dissensions in the Cabinet. Mel¬ 
bourne yielded to the representations of Lord John in 
maintaining his part, as Lord John is of opinion that if 
the Whigs go out of office they should contrive to go out 
with a clap-trap, and not quietly resign from difficulties 
during the prorogation. This will show you on what 
a frail tenure the whole hinges, and what may be ex¬ 
pected. . . . 

I am keeping well, but with the exception of seeing 
Lyndhurst I am devoting myself to the fair “ Yenetia ;” 
for I can write well here, as the life suits me, and there is 
a long morning, and the air-bath, which is wonderful, 
renders exercise unnecessary. It certainly baffled the 
influenza, of which poor Lady Combermere has died, sur¬ 
viving her father, old Greville, but a few days. When 
D’Orsay does not dine out, which is generally every other 
day, there are one or two to dinner here. On Monday 
Ossulston dined enfamille here, and gave us a very agree¬ 
able account of the Grammonts, whom he had been visit- 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 47 

ing at Versailles. The Due de Grammont is D’Orsay’s 
brother-in-law and Ossulston’s uncle. Since the glorious 
days the G.’s have retired from Court, and keep them¬ 
selves aloof ; the Duke devoting himself entirely to the 
education of his three sons. The first, Agenor, the Due 
de Guiche, is quiet, with great talents, and at fourteen 
has just passed the examination of the Ecole Polytech¬ 
nique, one of the severest ; the second, Augustus, the 
Marquis de Grammont, is a complete soldier ; the third, 
Alfred, the Count de Grammont, is only eight years of 
age, but though brought up in so domestic and even 
severe style, is as great a roue as his illustrious ancestor. 
He does nothing but laugh, shrug his shoulders, and run 
after the maids, who complain bitterly of his rudeness. 

Lyndhurst is full of his four months’ adventures abroad, 
lie has seen every one of note and distinction, of every 
party and class, literary and political, Carlist, Constitu¬ 
tional, Republican. He was greatly f6ted, and enjoyed 
himself much. 

April, 1837. 

The book (“ Venetia”) is to be out on the 11th, and now, 
from what I hear from Colburn, the printing will proceed 
so quickly there will be no good in forwarding the proofs. 
It is advertised in every paper, and C. seems very san¬ 
guine, and determined to omit no step that will ensure 
success. . . . 

May, 1837. 

Town is quite full, and the only thing talked of is the 
Westminster election. I am on Burdett’s committee, and 
obliged to canvass. My district, which is Bolton Street, 
Clarges, etc., is all right, though, curious enough, Leader 1 
is one of my list. 


1 Burdett’s opponent. 


48 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


P. is the most wonderful person in the world. He lives 
in one of the most expensive houses in Portland Place, 
many servants in livery, a handsome wife ornately dressed, 
children in fancy dresses tumbling on ottomans, one 
swearing he is a Tory, the other a Radical, etc. An ex¬ 
penditure not under 5000?. per annum, and no one is the 
least aware of his means. The party was very stupid. 
A few Carlton men, mixed up with some Marylebone and 
Bloomsbury slip-slop; but I like to go to a house for the 
first time. 

I suppose the King has really rallied, as I met Tom 
Young, who affected that he had never even been in dan¬ 
ger. I met Sir J. Hanmer, the youthful M.P. for Shrews¬ 
bury, and his pretty wife, and was glad to make his 
acquaintance, for he is full of talent and literature, and so 
enthusiastic an admirer of mine, that he had absolutely 
read the “ Revolutionary Epick.” 

The party at Bridgewater House last night turned out 
to be a grand concert, and the best assembly that has been 
given this season. There were about one thousand per¬ 
sons, and the suite of apartments, including the picture- 
gallery, all thrown open and illuminated, and I enjoyed 
myself excessively. 


June 19, 1837. 

There was an agreeable party at Madame Montalem- 
bert’s ; but whether la Comtesse had taken an extra glass 
of champagne, or what might be the cause, she lionized 
me so dreadfully that I was actually forced to run for my 
life. She even produced “ Venetia,” and was going to 
read a passage out loud, when I seized my hat and rushed 
downstairs, leaving the graceful society of Lady Egerton, 
much to my vexation. There have been several reviews 
of my book, chiefly in Radical papers, but all very lauda- 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


49 


tory. “ Fraser” gave the tone to the “ Sun,” etc. I shall 
keep this open for news of the King. 

5.30 p.m. —I have just seen a very interesting letter from 
Munster, dated 11 last nigh£. The King dies like an old 
lion. He said yesterday to his physicians, “ Only let me 
live through this glorious day!” This suggested to 
Munster to bring the tricolor flag which had just arrived 
from the Duke of Wellington, and show it to the King. 
William IV. said, “ Right, right,” and afterwards, “ Un¬ 
furl it and let me feel it,” then he pressed the eagle and 
said, “ Glorious day.” This may be depended on. He 
still lives. D. 

Carlton Club: June 20, 1837. 

Dearest, 

I write in the midst of three or four hundred persons, 
and in a scene of great excitement. The battle now ap¬ 
proaches; what will be my fate I pretend not to foresee. 
The King died in the middle of the night. Lord Lynd- 
hurst attended the Privy Council at Kensington, and 
kissed the young Queen’s hand, which all agreed was re¬ 
markably sweet and soft. She read her address well, 
and was perfectly composed, though alone in the council- 
chamber, and attended by no women. 


June 23. 

. . . Her Majesty was proclaimed on the 21st, and 
appeared in the balcony of the palace. The dissolution 
is expected in the course of three weeks. My prospects 
are bright, and I hope soon to tell you they are settled. 
Did you ever hear that the two Praeds, the late M.P. and 
his brother, who were so alike that it was almost impos¬ 
sible to distinguish them, were called at Eton “ Noodle” 
and “ Doodle,” which names have stuck to them in life 


50 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


and death ? Noodle, as you know, is no more, but Doo¬ 
dle remains. The Carlton is full from the hour it opens 
to long past midnight—deputations from the country, 
permanent committees, places that want candidates, an<f 
candidates that want places. 

Friday. 

The clouds have at length dispelled, and my prospects 
seem as bright as the day. At six o’clock this evening I 
start for Maidstone with Wyndham Lewis, and I suppose 
by Wednesday I shall have completed my canvass. I 
doubt whether there will be a contest. 

Maidstone: Tuesday. 

From all I can judge my seat is secure here, Robarts 
having declined to interfere, and having written an ad¬ 
dress to his constituents, declaring he will not canvass or 
trouble himself, but they may elect him if they like. 
Last night there was a full meeting, and I think I made 
the best speech I ever made yet—as well maintained as 
the Aylesbury one, and more than an hour in length ; so 
to-day I canvassed on my own influence. I do not see 
how we can be defeated, but I have said little about the 
affair generally, as when one feels assured it is best to be 
quiet. 

July 18, 1837. 

Robarts retired from a fruitless struggle yesterday 
morning, the very day on which his committee had 
pledged themselves he slfould attend a meeting of the 
electors. His party are exposed, and confess they are 
utterly beaten. 

July 22. 

The accounts from Maidstone continue as favorable as 
ever. Several of Robarts’ supporters have come over to 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


51 


me since his secession. I believe I am the only new can¬ 
didate of our side who has not an opposition. It was 
thought impossible in these times that a man could enter 
Parliament for the first time and for a borough in such a 
manner. ... So much for the “maddest of all mad 
acts,” my uncle G.’s prescience, and B.’s unrivalled pow¬ 
ers of encouragement! The nomination day is fixed for 
the 25th. 

Maidstone: July 27, 1837, 11 o’clock. 

Dearest, 

Lewis.707 

Disraeli . . . 0 . 616 

Colonel Thompson . . . 412 

The constituency nearly exhausted. 

In haste, 

Dizzy. 


... I did not see the “ Herald,” but I find my advent 
canvassed in many papers, among them the “ Spectator,” 
which says they have no doubt I fancy I shall be the ter¬ 
ror of the Treasury Bench, but they shall be “ agreeably 
disappointed if I turn out anything better than a buf¬ 
foon.” This must come from Colonel Thompson & Co., 
who did not particularly relish my nomination jokes. 
Clear your head of all nonsense about scrutinies, peti¬ 
tions, etc. There is not a safer seat in England than 
mine. They have not a shadow to work upon. 

I franked your letter. There is no doubt there must 
be 319 Tories in the House, and we shall pick up a few 
more. In short the Government is done, and I doubt 
whether they will meet Parliament. Lanarkshire, the 
largest and most Radical county in Scotland, being the 
seat of their principal manufactures, is gained by Lock¬ 
hart by a majority of one !! There is no doubt of the 


52 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

fact of his return, for he has notified it to the Carlton 
this morning by his frank, as well as Bateman for Tra¬ 
lee, whose signature was very welcome, as this is a 
borough rescued from O’Connell’s grip. The Whigs are 
more than low-spirited, they are in extremis. . . . Peel 
says he can carry on the government with the present 
Parliament. Not the slightest doubt, so I hope we are 
sitting for seven years. What fun ! and how lucky, after 
all, I should esteem myself. . . . 

What do you think of Lyndhurst’s marriage ? I had 
long heard, but never credited it. I am very well, and 
begin to enjoy my new career. I find that it makes a 
sensible difference in the opinion of one’s friends; I can 
scarcely keep my countenance. 


November 15, 1837. 

I took my seat this morning. I went down to the 
House with Wyndham Lewis at two o’clock, and found it 
very full, the members standing in groups and chatting. 
About three o’clock there was a cry of “ Order, order,” 
all took their seats (myself on the second bench, behind 
Sir Robert Peel), and a messenger summoned the Com¬ 
mons. The Government party was very strong, in conse¬ 
quence of an article in the “ Times,” about two days back, 
which spread a panic through their ranks, but which I 
think was a hoax. Shaw Lefevre proposed, and Strutt of 
Derby seconded Abercromby. Both were brief, the first 
commonplace, the other commonplace and coarse; all was 
tame. . . . Peel said a very little, very well. Then Aber¬ 
cromby, who looked like an old laundress, mumbled and 
moaned some dulness, and was then carried to the chair, 
and said a little more, amid a faint cheer. To me of course 
the scene was exciting enough, but none could share my 
feelings, except new members. Peel was a great deal at 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


53 


the Carlton yesterday. He welcomed me very warmly, 
and all noticed his cordial demeanor. He looks very 
well, and asked me to join a small dinner at the Carlton 
on Thursday. “ A House of Commons dinner purely,” he 
said; “by that time we shall know something of the tem¬ 
per of the House.” 


November 21, 1837. 

I tried to write you a line yesterday, as I was endeavor¬ 
ing to eat a sandwich, which I was not permitted to finish. 
Affairs are in a state of great excitement, and most inter¬ 
esting. All Sunday our members poured in, and at 4.30 
the Carlton was full. Lyndhurst arrived rather unex¬ 
pectedly on the Saturday night, and sent for me the fol¬ 
lowing morning. I never saw him look so well, he really 
might have passed for five-and-forty, plump and rosy, and 
most gayly attired, and in the highest force and spirits. 
He was more than kind, and after paying a visit to Peel 
and the Duke, showed at the Carlton, where his appear¬ 
ance created great enthusiasm. Yesterday, after being 
obliged to go down to the House at eleven, to ensure a 
house for members to swear, I went to a great meeting at 
Peel’s. There must have been 300 members. Peel ad¬ 
dressed, full of spirit, and apparently eager for action. 
Thence again to the House, where we were summoned to 
the Lords at two o’clock. The rush was terrific; Aber- 
cromby himself nearly thrown down and trampled upon, 
and his mace-bearer banging the members’ heads with his 
gorgeous weapon, and cracking skulls with impunity. I 
was fortunate enough to escape, however, and also to en¬ 
sure an entry. It was a magnificent spectacle. The 
Queen looked admirably, no feathers but a diamond tiara; 
the peers in robes, the peeresses, and the sumptuous 
groups of courtiers rendered the affair most glittering 


54 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


and imposing. The Speech was intentionally vague, that 
no division might possibly occur. All was mystery until 
five o’clock. From the Lords I escaped, almost at the 
hazard of our lives, with Mahon, who is now most cor¬ 
dial, and we at length succeeded in gaining the Carlton, 
having several times been obliged to call upon the police 
and military to protect us as we attempted to break the 
line, but the moment the magical words “ Member of 
Parliament” were uttered all the authorities came to our 
assistance, all gave way, and we passed everywhere. You 
never saw two such figures, our hats crushed and covered 
with mud, and the mobocracy envying us our privileges, 
calling out “ Jim Crow” as we stalked through the en¬ 
vious files. 

I went down, after refitting at the Carlton, for about 
half an hour, during which I tried to scribble to you. 
The seat I succeeded in securing behind Peel I intend if 
possible to appropriate to myself. The House was so 
crowded later, that the galleries were all full of members; 
many unable to obtain seats were sitting on the stairs, 
and on chairs and benches behind the Speaker’s chair. 
Lyndhurst and many peers were in their seats at the bar: 
the strangers’ gallery of course crammed. 

The Address was moved by Lord Leveson, 2 a child ap¬ 
parently, in a rich diplomatic uniform, and seconded by 
Gibson Craig, a new member in a court dress. Leveson 
made a crammed speech like a schoolboy; Gibson Craig, 
of whom the Whigs had hopes, rose, stared like a stuck 
pig, and said nothing; his friends cheered, he stammered, 
all cheered, then there was a dead and awful pause, and 
then he sat down, and that was his performance. The 
Address was then read, and Wakley made a most Radical 


2 Now Lord Granville. 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


55 


speech and amendment (see the papers), determined to 
bring affairs to a crisis. He was fluent, flippant, and vul¬ 
gar; a second-rate hustings orator. He was seconded by 
Molesworth, a most odious speaker, who wearied the 
House. Still the Government was silent, and the tactics 
was for our side to say nothing. Great difficulty, how¬ 
ever, in keeping H. Liddell quiet, who, flushed with his 
Durham triumph, had been at half-cock all day. Hume 
followed Molesworth and badgered the Government, and 
gave them every opportunity to declare themselves, an¬ 
nouncing that the Radicals would use all their influence 
to induce Wakley to withdraw his amendment. Nothing 
now could longer restrain Liddell, who rose fluent and 
confident, to the infinite mortification of our side, who 
feared this would be a diversion for the Government. It 
is impossible to convey an idea of a more pitiable failure; 
but fortunately it was only an individual exposure and not 
a party injury, for John Russell rose after him and took no 
notice of him except by administering a sharp and de¬ 
served rebuke at the end of his speech. 

John Russell threw the Radicals over in a most ma¬ 
tured and decided manner. It was a declaration evi¬ 
dently the result of a Cabinet decision. The sensation 
was immense. Peel then rose and made one of the finest 
speeches I ever heard, most powerful and even brilliant. 
He broke-the centre of the Government party forever. 
The Radicals were mad. Henry Ward, looking most 
hideous, then rose, amid the tumult of the House, and, 
though nobody would listen to him, contrived to abuse 
Wakley for appropriating to himself questions which be¬ 
longed to other persons, and announced that he for one 
had not intended to vote for him, but now that the Gov¬ 
ernment had at length thrown off the mask he should. 

So, after all, there was a division on the Address in 


56 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Queen Victoria’s first Parliament—509 to 20. The divi¬ 
sion took an hour. I then left the House at ten o’clock, 
none of us having dined. The tumult and excitement 
great. I dined, or rather supped, at the Carlton with a 
large party off oysters, Guinness, and broiled bones, and 
got to bed at half-past twelve o’clock. Thus ended the 
most remarkable day hitherto of my life. 

December 5, 1837. 

The dinner yesterday was merely a House dinner of 
fourteen—all our great men, with the exception of Lord 
Ramsay and myself, the only two new members. Peel 
took wine with me. 

It was rather amusing the other day in the House. 
The Sheriffs of London, Sir Bob or Tom, and Sir Moses, 
and no mistake, appeared at the bar in full state to pre¬ 
sent, according to the privilege of the city of London, 
some petitions, after which they took their place under 
the gallery and listened to the debate, which turned out 
to be the Jew question by a sidewind. I was not at all 
uncomfortable, but voted in the majority with the ut¬ 
most sangfroid. Sugden made a subtle and learned 
speech of two and half hours, which would have done 
very well in the Court of Chancery, but was rather a 
trial. I dined during some part of it. The petitions 
poured in last night, the last in every sense. So all is 
safe for the much vilified Maidstone. 

Hawes came up to me in the House and reminded me 
of, or rather asked whether I remembered, his taking me 
from school with the Gurneys “ twenty-three years ago” 
and giving us a dinner. He said I was not at all altered. 
I told him then that I had not changed, by his account, 
since I was seven or eight years old. He also said, “We 
are all expecting to hear you lash us” They may wait. 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


57 


December 8, 1837. 

I made my maiden speech last night, rising very late 
after O’Connell, but at the request of my party and the 
full sanction of Sir Robert Peel. As I wish to give you 
an exact idea of what occurred, I state at once that my 
debut was a failure , so far that I could not succeed in 
gaining an opportunity of saying what I intended; but 
the failure was not occasioned by my breaking down or 
any incompetency on my part, hut from the physical 
powers of my adversaries. I can give you no idea how 
bitter, how factious, how unfair they were. It was like 
my first debut at Aylesbury, and perhaps in that sense 
may he auspicious of ultimate triumph in the same scene. 
I fought through all with undaunted pluck and unruffled 
temper, made occasionally good isolated hits when there 
was silence, and finished with spirit when I found a for¬ 
mal display was ineffectual. My party backed me well, 
and no one with more zeal and kindness than Peel, cheer¬ 
ing me repeatedly, which is not his custom. The uproar 
was all organized .by the Rads and the Repealers. They 
formed a compact body near the bar of the House and 
seemed determined to set me down, but that they did 
not do. I have given you a most impartial account, 
stated indeed against myself. 

In the lobby at the division, Chandos, who was not 
near me while speaking, came up and congratulated me. 
I replied that I thought there was no cause for congratu¬ 
lations, and muttered “ Failure.” “No such thing,” said 
Chandos; “ you are quite wrong. I have just seen Peel, 
and I said to him, ‘Row tell me exactly what you think 
of D.’ Peel replied, ‘ Some of my party were disap¬ 
pointed and talk of failure, I say just the reverse. He 
did all that he could do under the circumstances. I say 
anything but failure; he must make his way.’ ” 


58 lokd beaconsfield's coeeespondence. 

The Government and their retainers behaved well. 
The Attorney-General, to whom I never spoke in my life, 
came up to me in the lobby and spoke to me with great 
cordiality. He said, “Now, Mr. Disraeli, could you just 
tell me how you finished one sentence in your speech, we 
are anxious to know—‘ In one hand the keys of St. 

Peter, and in the other-’ ?” “In the other the cap 

of liberty, Sir John.” He smiled, and said, “A good pic¬ 
ture.” I replied, “ But your friends will not allow me to 
finish my pictures.” “ I assure you,” he said, “ there was 
the liveliest desire to hear you from us. It was a party 
at the bar, over whom we had no control; but you have 
nothing to be afraid of.” Now I have told you all. 

Yours, D.—in very good spirits. 

December 11, 1837. 

I dined with Bulwer on Saturday, and, strange enough, 
met Shiel. I should have been very much surprised had 
I not arrived first and been apprised. It thus arose:— 
On Saturday Bulwer walked into the Athenaeum. Shiel, 
who has just recovered from the gout, was lounging in 
an easy-chair, reading the newspaper; around him was a 
set of low Rads (we might guess them) abusing me, and 
exulting in the discrimination of the House; probably 
they thought they pleased Shiel. Bulwer drew near, but 
stood apart. 

Suddenly Shiel threw down the paper, and said in his 
shrill voice, “Now, gentlemen, I have heard all you have 
to say, and what is more, I heard this same speech of 
Mr. Disraeli; and I tell you this, if ever the spirit of 
oratory was in a man, it is in that man; nothing can 
prevent him from being one of the first speakers in the 
House of Commons (great confusion). Ay ! and I know 
something about that place I think; and I tell you what 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 59 

besides, that if there had not been this interruption, Mr. 
Disraeli might have made a failure. I don’t call this a 
failure, it is a crush. My debut was a failure, because I 
was heard; but my reception was supercilious, his malig¬ 
nant. A debut should be dull. The House will not 
allow a man to be a wit and an orator unless they have the 
credit of finding it out. There it is.” You may con¬ 
ceive the sensation that this speech made. I heard of it 
yesterday from Eaton, Winslow, and several other quar¬ 
ters. The crowd dispersed, but Bulwer drew near and 
said to Shiel, “ D. dines with me to-day, would you like 
to meet him ?” “ In spite of my gout,” said Shiel, “ I 

long to know him, I long to tell him what I think.” So 
we met. There were besides only D’Eyncourt, always 
friendly to me, Mackinnon, a Tory, and one Quin 3 of the 
Danube. Shiel took an opportunity of disburthening his 
mind of the subject with which it was full. “ If you had 
been listened to, what would have been the result ? You 
would have made the best speech that you ever would 
have made. It would have been received frigidly, and 
you would have despaired of yourself. I did. As it is, 
you have shown to the House that you have a fine organ, 
that you have an unlimited command of language, that 
you have courage, temper, and readiness. Now get rid 
of your genius for a session. Speak often, for you must 
not show yourself cowed, but speak shortly. Be very 
quiet, try to be dull, only argue, and reason imperfectly, 
for if you reason with precision, they will think you are 
trying to be witty. Astonish them by speaking on sub¬ 
jects of detail. Quote figures, dates, calculations, and in 
a short time the House will sigh for the wit and elo¬ 
quence which they all know are in you; they will en- 


3 This must he the late witty homoeopath. 


60 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

courage you to pour them forth, and then you will have 
the ear of the House and be a favorite.” ... I think 
that altogether this is as interesting a rencontre as I 
have ever experienced. Yesterday I dined with Hope, a 
sumptuous hut rather dull party. On Saturday I dine 
with Peel, his first party. 


December 12, 1837. 

I have to go down to Maidstone, but shall return on 
Thursday. Yesterday the House was surprised by a 
Royal message requesting “ us to take into consideration 
a suitable provision for the Duchess of Kent.” Consid¬ 
ering that the Ministers have announced that there would 
be no more business of importance before the recess, this 
is considered a very suspicious movement. To-night we 
shall know what it means. 

All London is mad with animal magnetism. A M. de 
Dupotel ceremonises in Orchard Street, and every one 
flocks there. Strangford asked me to go with him to¬ 
day, but it was not in my power. Maidstone is a con¬ 
vert, and tells me he inet there yesterday, besides many 
ladies, the sharp Sir H. Hardinge, who believes, and 
Eliot. Lord Stanhope is frantically mad about it, as he 
was about Caspar Hauser. 


December, 1837. 

I have received the new edition of “ Curiosities,” which 
is indeed perfect. On Saturday I dined with Wyndham 
Lewis, rather an agreeable party. The guests: Lady 
Charlotte, much improved in appearance by the married 
state; Lady C. Churchill, who is still young and must 
have been beautiful, and who gave her name, Ethel, to 
L. E. L.’s novel; Miles Stapleton, the author of “Pag- 
nell,” an agreeable person; John Lowther, etc. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


61 


Yesterday a banquet at Dick’s. Hillsboro’ and bis 
law-papa Combermere, Exmouth, De Lisle, Hogg, little 
Hope, Henry Baillie, Yesey. Fine venison though De¬ 
cember. Dick’s room is always too much lighted, which 
makes it hot. Armstrong, who had given him many 
hints in vain, and who is a cool hand who says anything, 
seeing there was no change, told him the other day, “ By 
Jove, Dick, this is too bad. Now if you go on in this 
way, I shall call you ‘Jolly Dick the lamplighter.’ ” To 
enjoy the joke, you should know our host, whose appear¬ 
ance is a fine contrast to his nickname.—My love to all. 

D. 

December. 

We were kept late in the House last night; the pro¬ 
ceedings most interesting, but I cannot dwell upon them. 
Colquhoun, one of the new orators, made his maiden 
speech and with great success, a sort of Tory Roebuck; 
calm, unrivalled self-possession, perspicuous and logical. 
He rallied a nearly lost debate and more than decided 
the victory. To-day a great meeting at Peel’s, most stir¬ 
ring and important. Stanley for the first time addressed 
the Conservative party in private, and explained his po¬ 
sition and feelings towards them and Peel with extraor¬ 
dinary fervor. 

December 18, 1837. 

Nothing daunted, and acting on the advice of Shiel (a 
strange Parliamentary mentor for me after all), I spoke 
again last night and with complete success. It was on 
the Copyright Bill. The House was not very full, but 
all the Cabinet Ministers and officials were there, and all 
our principal men. Talfourd, who had already made a 
long speech (his style flowery, with a weak and mouthing 
5 


62 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

utterance), proposed the Copyright Bill very briefly, 
having spoken on it last session. Bulwer followed him, 
and confined himself to the point of international copy¬ 
right, which called up Poulett Thomson. Then Peel on 
the copyright of art; and then I rose. I was received 
with the utmost curiosity and attention. As there had 
been no great discussion I determined not to be tempted 
into a speech, which every one expected of course I rose 
to make. All I aimed at was to say something pointed 
and to the purpose. My voice, in spite of our doings at 
Maidstone, was in perfect condition. I suggested a 
clause to Talfourd, with the idea of which I had been 
furnished by Colburn. I noticed that the subject had 
already been done so much justice to on other occasions 
that I should not trouble the House, but I had been re¬ 
quested to support this Bill by many eminent persons in¬ 
terested in its success. Thus far I was accompanied by 
continual “hear, hears,” and I concluded thus: “I am 
glad to hear from her Majesty’s Government that the in¬ 
terests of literature have at length engaged their atten¬ 
tion. It has been the boast of the Whig party, and a 
boast not without foundation, that in many brilliant 
periods of our literary annals they have been the patrons 
of letters (‘ hear, hear ’ from John Russell & Co.). As 
for myself, I trust that the age of literary patronage has 
passed (‘ Hear, hear’ from leader of the Rads), and it will 
be honorable to the present Government if, under its 
auspices, it be succeeded by that of legislative protec¬ 
tion.” I sat down with a general cheer. Talfourd, in 
reply, noticed all the remarks of the preceding members, 
and when he came to me said he should avail himself of 
“ the excellent suggestion of the honorable member for 
Maidstone, himself one of the greatest ornaments of our 
modern literature.” Here Peel cheered loudly, and in- 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


63 


deed throughout my remarks he hacked me. So, on the 
whole, there was glorification. Everybody congratulated 
me. Colonel Lygon said, “Well, you have got in your 
saddle again, and now you may ride away.” Even Gran¬ 
ville Somerset said, “ I never heard a few sentences so 
admirably delivered. You will allow me to say so, after 
having been twenty-five years in Parliament.” But all 
agree that I managed in a few minutes by my voice and 
manner to please every one in the House. I don’t care 
about the meagre report, for I spoke to the House and 
not to the public. 

I have no time to tell you about Maidstone, except 
that the banker gave me a banquet more splendid than 
many I have had in this town, that we had the largest 
meeting on record, and that I made a successful speech; 
that Wyndham Lewis is infinitely more warm than 
ever, and my constituents far more enthusiastic, and it is 
my firm opinion that the next time I rise in the House, 
which will be very soon in February, I shall sit down 
amid loud cheers, for I really think, on the whole, though 
I have not time now to give you the reasons, that the 
effect of my debut , and the circumstances that attended 
it, will ultimately be favorable to my career. Next to 
undoubted success the best thing is to make a great 
noise, and the many articles that are daily written to an¬ 
nounce my failure only prove that I have not failed. 
One thing is curious, that the opinion of the mass is im¬ 
mensely affected by that of their leaders. I know a hun¬ 
dred little instances daily, which show me that what 
Peel, and Shiel, and other leading men have said, have 
already greatly influenced those who are unable to form 
opinions for themselves.—Love to all. H. 


64 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1838 . 

Politics—Charles Kean—Debates—Roebuck—Lord Francis Egerton 
—Pakington—Gladstone—Grand concert—Reception at Salisbury 
House—Levee—O’Connell reprimanded by Speaker—Family 
dinner with Lyndhurst—Society—Death of Wyndham Lewis— 
Successful speech—Assembly at Salisbury House—Town full— 
Gore House—Coronation of the Queen—Review in Hyde Park— 
Banquet at Holderness House—Visit to Maidstone—Durham 
proclamation. 

Thursday, January 18, 1838. 

I missed the post yesterday, having been very busy, 
and having indeed little to tell you. We have adjourned 
until Monday, after two nights of the most feeble debates 
that can well be fancied. The frigid genius of Canada 
pervaded our deliberations, and even Sir Robert appeared 
to sink under it, for I never recollect him so inefficient. 

I have no news to tell you, except that I shall go and see 
Kean to-morrow with Mrs. W. L., provided she get a good 
warm box. I understand from Chandos that the Wotton 
meeting takes place on the 28th, and that I am expected. 
I suppose I must go, in which case I will get down before 
to Bradenham for a couple of days. ... I am working at 
the Corn Laws. 

January 20, 1838. 

Town is very dull; everybody is frozen to death. 
Brougham’s speech 1 on Thursday was most clever, as good 
as his old House of Commons harangues. Our peers mus¬ 
tered thick, and seemed “ miching mallecho,” hut the 
Duke of Wellington rose and spoilt all with his generos- 


1 Debate on Canadian Rebellion, 


lord beaconsfield’s correspohdence. C5 

ity and all that. Great disgust in Tory ranks, even 
among the highest. Duke supposed to be passe, and to 
like being buttered with Whig laudation. 

I had a curious adventure in the course of the evening 
with Cecil Forrester, botli of us in search of a dinner, 
which I will tell you when we meet. 

I went to see young Kean last night, and the theatre 
was full in spite of the frost, which thins all the other 
houses; but I will not criticise him, for one word describes 
all—mediocrity. We went with the Horace Twisses; 
Lord Chesterfield’s box, a capital fire, our own tea, and 
really very amusing. D. 

Library of House of Commons: January 23. 

To be impartial, which one should be when a man with 
brains is concerned, Roebuck yesterday was not equal t*o 
the occasion. Sharp and waspish, he would have made a 
good petulant Opposition speech, but as the representa¬ 
tive of a nation arraigning a Ministry of high crimes and 
misdemeanors, he was rather ridiculous. The subsequent 
debate was, on the whole, interesting. Sir G. Grey, who 
had gained a reputation by the Canada revolt, contrived 
pretty well to lose it. Lord Francis Egerton spoke with 
all the effect which a man of considerable talent and 
highly cultivated mind, backed by the highest rank and 
60,000£. per annum, would naturally command. He has a 
bad delivery, a good voice, but no management or modu¬ 
lation of it, and the most ungainly action conceivable; 
nevertheless, on the whole impressive, and his style rich 
and somewhat ornate. Leader ludicrously imitated Roe¬ 
buck for more than an hour, and then the only feature 
was Pakington’s debut , who sat next to me. His friends 
expected a great deal from him, and they announce that 
he quite fulfilled their expectations. He was confident, 


66 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

fluent, and commonplace, and made a good chairman’s 
of quarter sessions speech. “ It was the best speech that 
he ever will make,” said Sugden, “ and he has been prac¬ 
tising it before the grand jury for the last twenty years.” 
However, I supported him very zealously, and he went to 
bed thinking he was an orator, and wrote to Mrs. Pak- 
ington, I’ve no doubt, to that effect. . . . 

This day we hear of the total discomfiture of the re¬ 
maining rebels. Molesworth is now speaking, and I 
therefore took advantage to write this. The House is 
very thin, frigid, and sleepy, but warmer work is ex¬ 
pected by and by. By writing letters at the House, I 
get Radical franks, I find, with ease. D. 

January 25,1838. 

• It was impossible yesterday to speak of coming down, 
though nothing shall prevent me from so doing on the 
earliest opportunity. For lo ! in the midst of our serene 
life, a row has arisen very menacing and exciting. Peel 
has taken the most decided course on the Canada Bill; 
probably thereunto impelled by the extreme disgust of 
the party at the Mtise of the Duke of Wellington, and 
his clearly foreseeing that unless the troops were led to 
battle they could no longer be counted on. Hardinge 
was sent on a mission to Strathfieldsaye, and this morn¬ 
ing we had a meeting in Whitehall Gardens. The Gov¬ 
ernment are brought to battle, cotite que coUte. Ever 
since Saturday last we have been privately and quietly 
whipping our men up, and in case of our not succeeding, 
Sir Robert this morning had the satisfaction of inform¬ 
ing us, that after communicating with those noble lords 
with whom he was in the habit of acting, the said amend¬ 
ments would undoubtedly and uncompromisingly be pro¬ 
posed, and of course carried in the Upper House. So M 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 67 

length the Duke has “ been spoken to,” so long recom¬ 
mended; and Sir Robert, conscious that without action 
the party could not be carried on, and himself smarting 
under his Grace’s blundering, has fairly shown that he is 
master. The excitement is great and the Government¬ 
alarmed. Unfortunately, the great battle will be fought 
on both sides with half their strength, at least I fear so, 
but this applies to both parties. D. 

Saturday, January 27 . 

I write to say that it is my present intention to go to 
Wotton on Monday, stay there if it prove agreeable until 
Friday, on which day I will join you and leave Braden- 
ham on Monday following, when we have a whip. We 
had a great triumph last night in the House. Peel made 
one of the finest speeches 2 I ever heard. We had a 
majority of at least twenty, and the Government gave 
up everything by which they had promised to stand or 
fall. They eat much dirt; Ho wick resigned in the morn¬ 
ing. 

Strangford is going to write to the governor about 
Corney on Camoens; thinks he can be of service, and 

very hot against C-. He has just come in and is hard 

at work, and will have two good points on Camoens and 
Cervantes, but the weather is not for the Museum, and 
he will soon write. 


February, 1838. 

There was no harm in Sir William Young lounging at 
Wycombe, as the present debate, which has been a very 
stupid one, is a mere fight between the Whigs and the 
Papineau clique. Our battle is on Thursday, and I sus¬ 
pect all our men will be at their places. Yesterday there 


2 Canada Bill. 



68 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


were not more than one hundred members in the House 
until eleven o’clock, when the benches got tolerably full, 
and Gladstone spoke very well, though with the una¬ 
voidable want of interest which accompanies elaborate 
speeches which you know are to lead to no result, i.e. no 
division. His speech, however, called up a Minister, and 
then Peel, etc. I went away before the division. 

Evans has accepted the clerkship of the Ordnance, and 
there will be a vacancy for Westminster. Roebuck 
starts; between him and Evans we ought to carry it. 
. . . This makes much excitement. Shiel has got a snug 
place in Greenwich Hospital—a commissionership. The 
world, however, wonders at such a man taking such a 
place (coals, candles, and 600 £. per annum), and the Eng¬ 
lish Radicals are furious that the Irish are not contented 
with the plunder of their own country. Bear Ellice is 
now called the Bear no longer, but the Retriever. 

I went to a most recherch'e concert at Parnther’s, where 
I found all the 'elite of town, and where the season com¬ 
menced, as all agreed, very brilliantly. The Duke was 
there, looking very well in his garter, riband, and the 
golden fleece. There were indeed as many stars as in an 
Arabian story— 

Ye stars which are the poetry of dress! 

I can scarcely tell you who was not there, for I saw 
Lansdownes, Salisburys, Stuart de Rothesay, Duke of 
Beaufort, Douro, Cantaloupe, Fitzroy, Loftus, etc., and 
Mrs. W. L., who was vjry proud evidently of being 
there. But the most picturesque group was the Roths¬ 
childs, the widow still in mourning, two sons, some sis¬ 
ters, and, above all, the young bride, or rather wife, from 
Frankfort, universally admired, tall, graceful, dark, and 
clear, picturesquely dressed, a robe of yellow silk, a hat 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 69 

and feathers, with a sort of Sevigne beneath of magnifi¬ 
cent pearls; quite a Murillo.—Love to all. D. 

I send you two good franks to add to your collection; 
the handwriting of two of the greatest ruffians in the 
House, and given to me by both of them when very 
drunk. They are “ Tailers,” but have taken a sort of 
blackguard fancy to me, and very civil. We had a queer 
but amusing party at Twiss’s. It was really given to 
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes; the W. L.’s were got to meet them, 
and the rest were men—Lord Darlington, Lowther, G. 
Somerset, Lord Reay, H. Hardinge, Henry Baring etc., 
and myself. The dinner was good for Twiss, and every¬ 
thing went off well; Mrs. B., who looked, as Baring said, 
like a lady in a pantomime, very funny, surrounded by 
sons of dukes and privy councillors. . . . 

The weather was so bad, the streets being nearly half a 
foot deep in slough and snow, that I doubt whether I 
could have got to Salisbury House, short as was the dis¬ 
tance, had not G. Somerset taken me. It was a most 
brilliant party, and the first time the world has been re¬ 
ceived there since the alterations which commenced after 
the old lady’s death. Such a revolution ! There is not a 
vestige of ancient interior; even the staircase is entirely 
new and newly placed. There had been a grand dinner 
given previously to Lord and Lady Lyndhurst. Lady L. 
made a favorable impression. ... I was of course pre¬ 
sented to her. Without being absolutely pretty, her ap¬ 
pearance is highly interesting. She was sitting on the 
large ottoman in the centre of the new saloon, and there¬ 
fore I can scarcely judge of her figure. She is very little, 
but her appearance is elegant and delicate. She was 
most becomingly dressed in a white turban of a very 
recherch'e construction. I spoke very little to her : the 


70 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


advance of some other persons whom Lady Salisbury 
wished to introduce relieved me from a rather embarrass¬ 
ing conversation. L. is in high spirits, talking of nothing 
else but the hope of having a son. Lady Salisbury re¬ 
ceived me with great cordiality and talked to me for some 
time. I found I owed the invitation to Lady London¬ 
derry having mentioned me to her. D. 

February, 1838. 

At the lev'ee to-day O’Connell and all his sons were pre¬ 
sented. That looks frisky, as if he really were about to 
be Chief Justice of Ireland. It would keep him quiet for 
life, and perhaps he thinks it is time to secure himself; 
but the arrangement would be almost as shameful as buy¬ 
ing off the Goths and maintaining the limits by tribute. 
Ewart starts for Marylebone, much to the dissatisfaction 
of Lord Nugent. Mr. Young says he will also stand 
again. If two Liberals start we may carry Teignmouth; 
I doubt it otherwise. 


February 26, 1838. 

We have a prospect of some amusement to-night, as 
the chivalrous blood of my little friend Maidstone im¬ 
pelled him last night to give notice to call O’Connell to 
account for calling the Tory members “ perjured” at the 
dinner some ruffians and refuse gave him the other day. 
I am to second Chandos on the Corn Laws, which is fixed 
for next week, but will scarcely come on so soon. 

March 1. 

On Tuesday we beat the Government again on the 
O’Connell question by increasing majorities, and, to make 
the affair complete, they were beaten again the same eve¬ 
ning on another question. Yesterday O’Connell received 
his reprimand in one of the most crowded houses I re- 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


71 


member. He entered about 4.30, during the transaction 
of private business, with his usual air of bustle and indif¬ 
ference; but it was very obvious that his demeanor was 
affected, as he was so restless that he did not keep in his 
place for two minutes together. 

At five o’clock the business commenced. The Speaker 
inquired whether Mr. O’Connell was in attendance, upon 
which O’Connell answered, “Yes, sir,” but did not rise. 
The Speaker, who wore his three-cornered hat, then said, 
“ Sir, you must stand up.” This rather dashed Dan, who 
began to feel uneasy, as was very evident, standing like 
a culprit before several hundred individuals sitting. 
After all, it is a moral pillory, and I am much mistaken 
whether Dan did not suffer acutely. The reprimand, 
considering the politics and physical and intellectual 
qualities of the reprimanded, was not ineffective. Dan 
stood like a penitent for a few minutes, then affected to 
look at some papers, but almost as quickly resumed his 
attention to the chair, as if he feared the House would 
notice his indifference; then he dropped the paper, then 
he took it up, then listened again, then took out his spec¬ 
tacles, wiped them, and did not put them on. At last it 
was finished, when he rose and made a very ruffianly ac¬ 
knowledgment, and here the Speaker quite failed, as he 
ought not to have permitted it. Just as he sat down, 
there appearing a great desire to renew the fight again 
among our youth, and Castlereagh on his legs, a stupid 
deputation from the London Election Committee appeared, 
through an error, at the bar, robbed O’Connell of the 
cheers of his followers, and occasioned a dull technical 
debate of half an hour. At the end of this time, by the 
interference of our leaders, our valor had evaporated; 
and this was the end of an incident which has shaken the 
Government to its centre. . . . 


72 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

March 7. 

I forgot to tell you I dined at Lyndhurst’s en famille , 
to meet Campusano, the new Spanish Minister, also De 
Rothsay and Aberdeen. As Miladi was very silent, and 
generally spoke French, I cannot draw any definite con¬ 
clusion about her, except that I observed nothing to de¬ 
tract from the favorable impression I formed previously. 
Sa is at home, and grown very much, though more in 
breadth than height; milord a most devoted husband; 
Miss Copley still presides at table. 

Sir George Grey 3 is called Mr. Pickwick in the House, 
being in appearance, spectacles, and style of oratory, the 
“very prototype,” as Mrs. B. says, of Samivel Yeller’s 
master and patron. D. 

March 11,1838. 

On Saturday I dined with George Wombwell, and met 
De Lisle, Adolphus Fitzclarence, Auriol, and Hope. Mrs. 
W. I like very much. I got away to the Salisburys’, 
where there was an agreeable party. By the bye, I met 
Strangford there and his daughter; he was full of the 
pamphlet. Yesterday I dined at Neeld’s; all my friends 
—Ernest Bruce, Loftus, Sir Hugh Campbell, Percival, 
Eaton. The pictures exceed any I have seen in England, 
far beyond Lord Grosvenor’s, though of course not near 
so numerous. His library, too, is quite august. I have 
never seen such bindings and such magnificent copies. 
He has an illustrated “ Lysons,” Dent’s copy, that cost, I 
believe, Dent originally some thousands; he has Britton’s 
“ Antiquities,” with the original drawings, and a thou¬ 
sand other fine things. 


An Indian judge. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 73 

March 15, 1838. 

I write to say I heard yesterday of the sudden death of 
my colleague. I have seen Mrs. Wyndham; she is, of 
course, at present, extremely overwhelmed; she was sit¬ 
ting in the room with him when he died. . . . 

March, 1838. 

I dined with the Powerscourts; Lady P. is without 
exception the most beautiful woman in London. The 
party was good, in some instances rather funny—the 
Murchisons and Mrs. Somerville, Mahon, Redesdale, and 
Bankes. Murchison a stiff geological prig, and his wife 
silent. Mrs. Somerville grown very old and not very 
easy, but Bankes was so very agreeable that I hardly 
ever was at a more pleasant meeting. I hope to be with 
you for Easter, as I do not want to be in town during 
the holidays. 


March 16, 1838. 

You will hear that last night , 4 very unexpectedly—for 
I had given up all thought of speaking, and suffering 
naturally not a little both mentally and physically—I rose 
and made a most successful speech. I was so disturbed 
by deputations from Maidstone, rival candidates for the 
vacant post, and having nearly lost my voice, which I 
had been cooking with so much care for days, that at six 
o’clock, when I sat down in my place, I had quite given 
up all idea of speaking; but finding the House thin, and 
getting more composed, I began to think I would make a 
speech merely for the press. Even with this humble 
view I was unfortunate, for I could not catch the 
Speaker’s eye, and time flew on, and the great guns one 
by one returned—Peel, Graham, Goulburn, Hardinge, 


4 Motion on Corn Laws. 


74 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

Herries, etc. About ten o’clock Hardinge beckoned to 
me and I seated myself between him and Graham. He 
wanted to speak about moving the new writ for Maid¬ 
stone. Just as I rose to quit my place, Clay, who was 
speaking, sat down; and the Speaker, imagining that I 
was going to rise, called my name. I was in for it, put 
my hat down, advanced to the table, and dashed along. 
I got the House still in a minute, and was heard with the 
greatest attention and good-humor. I made a much shorter 
speech than I should have done at an early hour and a 
thin House; and at length sat down amid loud cheers, 
and really principally from the Government side; many 
of them shaking hands with me and saying “ All our 
people agree it was one of the best speeches made on the 
subject.” Lord John said nothing, but watched me very 
attentively, a smile on his face, and I thought he looked 
malignant; but I did him injustice, for, walking home 
with Ossulston, who w T as full of congratulations, he said, 
“I have only seen Johnny, and he says it was the best 
thing he had heard for a long time, a great thing for one 
so scant of laudation.” As for our own people, Graham, 
Goulburn, and Hardinge and good old Herries shook 
hands with me immediately when I had regained my 
place. In the lobby all the squires came up to shake 
hands with me and thank me for the good service. They 
were so grateful, and well they might be, for certainly 
they had nothing to say for themselves. All our party 
noticed the great courtesy of the Whigs and the other 
side generally to me. I ascribe my popularity in the 
House to the smoking-room. 

On Monday I shall be at Maidstone to dine with my 
triumphant constituents, as I hope, for up to last night 
Fector had no competitor. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


75 


March 19, 1838. 

I write this at a Committee which I am obliged to at¬ 
tend on the Necropolis Bill. The ground is to he pur¬ 
chased by Lord Southampton, and I attend for Henry 
Fitzroy, who is obliged to go to Cheltenham as his mother 
is dying. It is very wearisome; and the whole morning 
is taken up by Orator Murphy, who patriotically appears 
for “ the Public,” and beards the counsel in spite of their 
wigs. 

The evening at Salisbury’s last Saturday was very bril¬ 
liant; so many beautiful women, and among them the 
Princess of Capua. Her beauty is remarkable, added to 
in some degree by her gorgeous and fantastic dress. It 
was entirely of green velvet and gold; her headdress of 
the same material, although in shape that of a contadina. 
Miss Burdett Coutts was also there, a very quiet and un¬ 
pretending person; not unlike her father, nevertheless. 
Lady Aldboro’ made her first appearance for the season, 
and was very witty and amusing, and looked as fresh as 
ever. Lady Stanhope is the very picture of Bob Smith, 
but I forgot you know her. . . She has a very pretty 
daughter, Lady Wilhelmina. One of the prettiest and 
most interesting women I ever met, however, is Lady 
Powerscourt. I forgot to notice the Prince of Capua, a 
savage, dull-looking fellow covered with mustache, and 
stars. He is entirely ruled by his wife. 

April 26, 1838. 

I made a brilliant speech 5 last night, the crack one of 
the evening, and all who spoke after me, either for or 
against, addressed themselves to me. C. Wynn, in speak¬ 
ing of Southey, confirmed “the statement in the eloquent 
speech of the hon. member for Maidstone.” Poor little 

5 Copyright Bill. 


76 LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Milnes plastered me with compliments, but his own 
speech was entirely smashed by the reporters. The Min¬ 
isters tried not to make a House, and we had a sharp run, 
and I think I may fairly claim carrying the measure. At 
least Talfourd gave me credit for it, as I went to the 
Carlton at 9.30, and got down a couple of members and 
absolutely converted Blackstone, if no others. Sir 
James Graham, who was in the House, was really most 
warm; but of all this when we meet. D. 

April, 1838. 

I hope to be down in a few days. There is a chance 
of Exmouth coming for a day or two with me, he is very 
unaffected and easy. I never read the “Maidstone Jour¬ 
nal,” but will do so when I get down. It was a very tri¬ 
umphant speech, but I am sick of all this provincial 
spouting. I hope my mother is better, or rather well. 
The 315 Conservative M.P.’s are to give Peel a dinner at 
Freemasons’ Hall on the 12th of May. It is to be the 
most wonderful public dinner ever known. 


June 24, 1838. 

London is very gay now. The whole of the line of 
procession is nearly covered with galleries and raised 
seats; when these are clothed with carpets and colored 
hangings the effect will be superb. London teems with 
foreigners. There are full 200 (on dit) of distinction, 
attached to the different embassies, and lodged in every 
possible hotel from Mivart to Sabloniere. Lord F. Eger- 
ton told me this morning that he had just been paying a 
visit to a brace of Italian princes in the last-named crib 
on a third floor, and never in the dirtiest locanda of the 
Levant, Smyrna, or Alexandria, had he visited a more 
filthy place; but they seemed to enjoy it, and are visible 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 77 

every night, with their brilliant uniforms and sparkling 
stars, as if their carriage at break of dawn were not 
changed into a pumpkin. 

Your geranium gave me a flower to-day, and will give 
me a couple more. I have bought also a promising plant 
myself, and so do very well.—My love to all, D. 

June, 1838. 

We had a very agreeable party at D’Orsay’s yesterday. 
Zichy, who has cut out even Esterhazy, having two jack¬ 
ets, one of diamonds more brilliant than E.’s, and another 
which he wore at the Drawing-room yesterday of tur¬ 
quoises. This makes the greatest sensation of the two. 
He speaks English perfectly; is a great traveller, been 
to Nubia, all over Asia, and to Canada and the United 
States. Then there was the Duke of Ossuna, a young 
man, but a grandee of the highest grade. He is neither 
Carlist nor Christine, and does not mean to return to 
Spain until they have settled everything. Therefore 
they have confiscated his estates, but he has a large prop¬ 
erty in Italy, and also Belgium. He is a great dandy and 
looks like Philip II., but though the only living descend¬ 
ant of the Borgias, he has the reputation of being very 
amiable. When he was last at Paris he attended a repre¬ 
sentation of Victor Hugo’s “ Lucrezia Borgia.” She says 
in one of the scenes, “ Great crimes are in our blood.” 
All his friends looked at him with an expression of fear, 
“but the blood has degenerated,” he said, “for I have 
committed only weaknesses.” Then there was the real 
Prince Poniatowsky, also young and with a most brilliant 
star. Then came Kissiloffs and Strogonoffs, “ and other 
offs and ons,” and De Belancour, a very agreeable per¬ 
son. Lyndhurst, Gardner, Bulwer, and myself com¬ 
pleted the party. 

6 


78 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

I must give up going to the coronation, as we go in 
state, and all the M.P.’s must be in court dresses or uni¬ 
forms. As I have withstood making a costume of this 
kind for other purposes, I will not make one now, and 
console myself by the conviction that to get up very 
early (eight o’clock), to sit dressed like a flunky in the 
Abbey for seven or eight hours, and to listen to a sermon 
by the Bishop of London can be no great enjoyment. 

Lyndhurst made a very successful speech the other 
night on Spain, and foreign politics are coming into 
fashion. D. 

June 29, 1838. 

I went to the coronation after all. I did not get a 
dress till 2.30 on the morning of the ceremony, but it 
fitted me very well. It turned out that I had a very fine 
leg, which I never knew before ! The pageant within 
the Abbey was without exception the most splendid, va¬ 
rious, and interesting affair at which I ever was present. 
To describe is of course useless. I had one of the best 
seats in the Abbey, indeed our House had the best of 
everything. I am very glad indeed that Ralph persuaded 
me to go, for it far exceeded my expectations. The 
Queen looked very well, and performed her part with 
great grace and completeness, which cannot in general be 
said of the other performers; they were always in doubt 
as to what came next, and you saw the want of rehearsal. 
The Duke was loudly cheered when he made his homage. 
Melbourne looked very awkward and uncouth, with his 
coronet cocked over his nose, his robes under his feet, 
and holding the great sword of state like a butcher. 
Lyndhurst paid his homage with remarked grace, but in¬ 
stead of backing from the throne, turned his back on the 
Sovereign. The Duchess of Sutherland walked, or rather 


LORD BEACOKSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 79 

stalked, up the Abbey like Juno; she was full of her 
situation. Lady Jersey and Lady Londonderry blazed 
among the peeresses. 

The Queen behaved with great grace and feeling about 
Lord Rolle; nothing could be more effective. She seemed 
for an instant to pause whether etiquette would allow her 
to rise from her throne, and then did so, and held out her 
hand with infinite dignity and yet delicate sentiment. 
The Marquis of Normanby did his homage well, and so did 
Lord Wilton, though the first, and perhaps both, were too 
theatrical. But Lord Audley, who is premier baron, 
and unknown to every one, charmed all by his graceful 
youth and matchless dignity, and imposing manner in 
which he made the declaration of fealty for his order. 
Exmouth complained terribly of the weight of his robes 
and coronet, which were made for his grandfather at 
George IY.’s coronation, and the old lord was a very tall, 
stout, burly man. I have got a gold medal given me as 
M.P., but I have presented it to Mrs. W. L. O’Connell 
was in a court dress, and looked very well, and was deeply 
interested in everything, but was hooted greatly (on dit) 
by the mob. I think I told you of Fector’s gorgeous 
suit; it has been noticed in the papers. When we two got 
into his chariot, that cantankerous Norreys halloed out, 
“Make room for the Maidstone sheriffs.” Very good, I 
think, though rather annoying. 

The procession was a failure; heavy, want of variety, 
and not enough music and troops. There are so few 
troops in the country, that they cannot get up a review 
in Hyde Park for Soult, and keep on the fair, they are so 
ashamed. I saw Lord Ward after the ceremony, in a side 
room, drinking champagne out of a pewter pot, his coro¬ 
net cocked aside, his robes disordered, and his arms 
akimbo, the very picture of Rochester. The Strogonoffs 


80 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


are delighted with England, and will stay the month out. 
I cannot, however, obtain an accurate idea of the effect 
produced on the ambassadors; they are so courtly and 
diplomatic. D. 

July, 1838. 

There was a very brilliant ball at the Salisbury s’ the 
other night, with all the remarkables and illustrious in 
which London now abounds. I stayed till two o’clock; 
but there were no signs then of separation, and the sup¬ 
per-room only just open. By the bye, the Countess Zavo- 
douska, for I believe that is her name, appears quite the 
reigning beauty of the season. She did me the honor of 
remembering me, though not in Turkish costume, and 
told me she had read “ Yivian Grey.” 

No dukes to be made at the coronation, and Mulgrave 
to be made a marquis. Exmouth came up to Theodore 
Hook full of indignation at the thirty-one baronets in the 
night’s “Gazette.” “Thirty-one baronets! There’s a 
pretty game of the Whigs!” says he. “They’ll make a 
bloody hand of it, at any rate,” says Theodore. Luttrell’s 
last conundrum, made in Lady B.’s box at the opera— 
“ When is a man nearest heaven ?” “ When he is on a 
lark.” The foreigners thought that Lord Rolle’s tumble 
was a tenure by which he held his barony. I). 

July, 1838. 

Yesterday, the day being perfect, there was a splendid 
review in Hyde Park. I saw it admirably from Mrs. W. 
L.’s. The Delawares, Holies, Lawrence Peels, and Daw¬ 
sons were there, but no one was allowed to be on the 
drawing-room floor, lest there should be an appearance of 
a party, except old Lord Rolle and myself to be his com¬ 
panion. Lord R. sat in the balcony with a footman each 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 81 

side of him, as is his custom. The Londonderrys after 
the review gave a magnificent banquet at Holderness 
House. There were only 150 asked, and all sat down. 
Londonderry’s regiment being reviewed, we had the hand 
of the 10th playing on the staircase, the whole of said 
staircase being crowded with orange-trees and cape jessa¬ 
mines. The Duke de Nemours, Soult, and all “ illustrious 
strangers” were there—the banquet being in the gallery 
of sculpture. D. 

July, 1838. 

I returned from Maidstone too late to write to you last 
night. I went down to Rochester by coach, posted over 
to my constituents, just missed Day’s dinner, which was 
well managed, went to the Hall reinforced after a wet 
journey, made a wonderful speech, though I hadn’t an 
idea, to the most numerous assembly ever known, etc.; 
slept at Randall’s, who has a most beautiful house. Fee- 
tor very well, came from Canterbury, with that intrusive 

Z-, whom I snubbed very much, but he was only much 

civiller in consequence. On Friday the Randalls gave a 
grand breakfast to the principal members of the party, 
which was well done, and “equal to anything of the kind” 
as they say. But only conceive a grand dejeuner scarcely 
over at 3.30, and a grand dinner at 5.30! I took a walk 
into the country, as it was in vain to pay visits. We 
dined 107, more than the room could hold. I had to 
make another speech; never began a sentence with the 
slightest idea of its termination; really in a funk, but 
never made a more successful one. But, to speak plainly, 
the two speeches cost me great efforts at the moment. I 
never racked my brain so much, but it answered to the 
helm. 



82 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

August 10, 1838. 

Fector is seated, and the petition voted frivolous and 
vexatious ! Great triumph. We shall send them a bill, 
in addition to their own costs. I shall not be down be¬ 
fore the 6th or 7th of August. The ball at Holderness 
House was a very brilliant affair. I was introduced to 
Lord Brougham by Lady William Powlett, and Sir Lytton 
also made his appearance. I spoke the other night after 
O’Connell, 6 and with spirit and success. I thought it as 
well that my voice should be heard at the end of the ses¬ 
sion, and especially on an Irish subject. There were 
only eight Tories in the House, the subject having 
been brought on unexpectedly and without notice, and 
Brougham speaking in the Lords, which takes men away. 
The Whig benches were tolerably full, as they had made 
a whip. D. 

November 20, 1838. 

There will be no real news until after the first Cabinet 
is held. Humors to-day of a Russian war. Parliament 
is not expected to meet until January. Cutlar Fergus- 
son being dead, the report is that Macaulay is to have 
the Judge-Advocateship. The few people in town, prin¬ 
cipally lawyers, talk of nothing but the Durham procla¬ 
mation, which seems quite to have dished him. 


Municipal Corporations, Ireland. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 83 


1839. 

Brougham’s threat—Lord Grey crushed by a picture—State of Ire¬ 
land— Ude dismissed from Crockford’s— Deputation to Mel¬ 
bourne—Speaker’s levee—Society—Dinner at Peel’s—A day of 
rumors—Speech on theatrical amusements—“Richelieu”—Com¬ 
mand of House—Amusing debate—Game in Peel’s hand—Satis¬ 
faction at being an M.P.—Dduro’s marriage—Concert at Madame 
Montefiore’s—Speaker resigns—Grand Duke of Russia—Chartists 
uneasy—Dinner with Duke of Buckingham—Congratulations on 
speech—Meets Webster the American—“ Alarcos”—Newspaper 
Press Fund dinner—F£te at Rosebank—Dines with Burdett— 
Prince Esterhazy—Marriage—Tunbridge Wells—Dover—Baden- 
Baden—Munich—Visit to Dannecker—Hallam—Ratisbon—Wal- 
halla—Paris—Pleasant dinners—Father’s blindness—Christmas 
party at Wycombe Abbey. 


January, 1839. 

Everything is very flat. They say that Lord Tavis¬ 
tock is to go to Ireland, and that Sir George Grey is to 
he Judge-Advocate, Macaulay having refused anything. 

February 1, 1839. 

I understand the Duke and Lyndhurst are in high 
spirits. Sir Robert arrived this morning. They talk of 
amendments on the Address. Brougham cannot be held 
in; last session he said they felt the weight of his “little 
finger, let them now prepare for the double fist.” “ Not 
two hours, not one hour, not half an hour, shall pass after 
the meeting” but he will be into them. On dit , he in¬ 
tends to bring forward the state of Ireland. All this 
gossip from Forrester. 


84 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

On the night of the 29th, Lord Grey standing in his 
room, in his dressing-gown, a large picture fell and 
crushed him. After remaining under it a considerable 
time, he contrived to crawl out and pulled the bell. He 
was found in a state of half stupor and has narrowly 
escaped a concussion of the brain; the skull is laid open 
to the depth of an inch and a half. This I just heard 
from Saurin.—Your loving, D. 

February 10, 1839. 

Brougham is very rich on the subject of Durham. There 
are four points which he mentioned as indefensible : tho 
appointment of Wakefield to a place of trust, the Hegira 
or flight, the proclamation, the discrepancies in the am 
swers to the different addresses. But even on the flight 
he says something may be urged in extenuation. The 
Lord High Commissioner took out two uniforms, a field- 
marshal’s and a vice-admiral’s; but when the fighting 
was about to commence, he appears to have put on the 
vice-admiral’s by mistake and got on board; a mistake 
that well might naturally, even innocently, he made by a 
noble lord unused to fighting clothes. 

The question of Ireland he is determined to take up, as 
a scandal to Christendom, and England especially, that 
in the nineteenth century life, and the means of life, 
property, should not be worth four-and-twenty hours’ 
purchase, etc. Brougham denies the letter to the 
Queen. Croker, ostensibly writing to him on some lit¬ 
erary point, but really to extract some opinion from him 
on the subject of the letter, put in a postscript, “ Have 
you seen the letter to the Queen ? They give it to you.” 
Brougham answered, in a postscript also, “ I have seen 
the letter to the Queen. It was lent to me.” 

I understand the trousseau gf Julia McDonald sur- 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 85 

passed in fancy and splendor all late exhibitions, which, 
considering that her family collectively have not a sou, 
is surprising. She was married in white velvet with three 
flounces of point-lace, and departed in a white-silk cos¬ 
tume with border trimming of birds-of-paradise feathers. 
But the most wonderful thing was D’Orsay’s present to 
the bridegroom—a white-silk waistcoat, brode in gold, 
from Paris; the design by the Count, who was at the 
wedding. I shall go and call on him to-morrow. I chat, 
ted this morning an hour with Lyndhurst, who look; 
younger and brisker than ever. I hear that Lord Glen 
elg 1 has just resigned in the House of Lords. They have 
kept the secret close. I see the Duke of Buckingham 
very often; nothing can be kinder than he is. D. 

February, 1839. 

There has been a row at Crockford’s and Ude dis¬ 
missed. He told the committee he was worth 10,000?. a 
year. Their new man is quite a failure; so I think the 
great artist may yet return from Elba. He told Womb- 
well that in spite of his 10,000?. a year he was miserable 
in retirement; that he sat all day with his hands before 
him doing nothing. Wombwell suggested the exercise of 
his art, for the gratification of his own appetite. “ Bah !” 
he said, “ I have not been into my kitchen once; I hate the 
sight of my kitchen; I dine on roast mutton dressed by a 
cookmaid.” He shed tears, and said he had only been 
twice in St. James’s Street since his retirement (which was 
in September), and that he made it a rule never to walk 
on the same side as the club-house. “Ah ! I love that 
club, though they are ingrats. Do not be offended, Mr. 

1 Colonial Secretary, and succeeded by the Marquis of Nor¬ 
man by. 


86 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

Womb well, if I do not take off my hat when we meet; but 
I have made a vow I will never take my hat off to a mem¬ 
ber of the committee.” “ I shall always take my hat off 
to you, Mr. Ude,” was the rejoinder.—Yours, D. 

February, 1839. 

I went up with the Duke of Buckingham, Praed, Free- 
mantle, Christopher, Blackstone, and a host of Horwoods, 
Brickhills, etc., as a deputation to Lord Melbourne on the 
Corn Laws, which was very amusing. Melbourne, frank 
and rollicking, evidently in his heart a thorough Tory 
and agriculturist, rubbed his hands and laughed; when 
the evil consequences insisted on, agreed to everything. 
“ And, my lord,” said some Horwood from Ely, “ will not 
the fundholder be endangered ?” “ Oh, of course,” said 

the Prime Minister. 

I breakfasted at Milnes’ to meet Alfred de Yigney, a 
very pleasing personage; but I met a M. le Rion, who 
also spoke English, and is the most astounding litterateur 
I ever encountered. He is at the Athenaeum, and anxious 
to know my father, and his original but just and pro¬ 
found views on English literature I reserve for another 
time. He says that Bishop Ken was the Fenelon of 
England, and that the “ Oxford Tracts” are a mere re¬ 
vival of his works; it is the non-jurors again. 

I have been to the Speaker’s levee. Lord Fitz-Alan, 
who was sent to Greece because he would marry Miss 
Pitt, has returned engaged to Miss Lyons, daughter of 
our minister there. It is said that he escaped “ from the 
Pit to fall into the Lion’s mouth.”—Love to all, D. 

February, 1839. 

Dined at Wombwell’s the other day, with Gibsons and 
Duke of Leeds: more noise than wit. A charming little 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 87 

party at the Londonderry’s—the Salisburys, Lyndhurst, 
George Bentinck, and H. Liddell. Nothing could be 
more delightful. Lyndhurst rich with fun and redolent 
of humor; but the debate in the Lords broke us up earlier 
than we liked. Tommy Duncombe told me that he 
should bring the actresses on the stage again about 
Thursday. I wish you would look into the books and let me 
know something about the matter. Is it “ ecclesiastical 
polity” or is it a puritanic innovation ? If the latter, I 
would justify my vote. How was it in James I.’s time and 
Elizabeth ? Payne Collier, what says he ? Find out 
what you can, and let me have it on Thursday morning; 
that will give you a couple of days’ research. 

I dined last week at Peel’s and came late, having mis¬ 
taken the hour. I found some twenty-five gentlemen 
grubbing in solemn silence. I threw a shot over the 
table and set them going, and in time they became even 
noisy. Peel, I think, was quite pleased that I broke the 
awful stillness, as he talked to me a good deal though 
we were far removed, he sitting in the middle of the 
table. I had Sir Robert Inglis on my right hand, whose 
mind I somewhat opened. He requested permission to 
ask after my father, and whether he was at Bradenham. 
The dinner was curiously sumptuous—“ every delicacy of 
the season;” and the second course, of dried salmon, 
olives, caviare, woodcock pie, foie gras, and every com¬ 
bination of cured herring, etc., was really remarkable. 
The drawing-rooms and picture-gallery were lit up with 
good effect. 

Lord Carrington, whom I met the other night at Lady 
B.’s, talked to me a great deal. He will be at the head 
of the county, not the head of a party in the county, 
will make no tradesmen magistrates, and no clergymen 
but ixom necessitate rei. Duke of Wellington does the 


88 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


same. Very civil and conservative, and asked me to 
call on him, etc. Yesterday was a day />f rumors. It 
began by givingthe Duke of Wellington a fit and ended 
by burning down Clumber; but I believe they are both 
very safe. D. 

February 28, 1839. 

A thousand thanks; you are a library and a librarian 
both. I paired for Scrope’s dinner till 10.30, anticipating 
debate on Mexico; found Mexico put off, and Tommy 
about to jump up. Never heard a more entertaining de¬ 
bate; Duncombe’s drollery inimitable. 2 3 Though I had 
not intended to speak, and had not even your notes in 
my pocket, it animated me, and though full-figged in cos¬ 
tume, I rose with several men at the same time; but the 
House called for me, and I spoke with great effect, amid 
loud cheering and laughter. Supposed to have settled 
the question, which, to the disgust of Government, was 
carried by a majority of twenty. Never saw Johnny in 
a greater rage. He sent for Alfred Paget, who was 
going to vote for us, and insisted that he shouldn’t. I 
was glad Dungannon, an ultra-Churchman, took the same 
side. Chandos is delighted with the result, and should, 
he says, certainly have voted against the Government. 

D. 

March 9, 1839. 

Bulwer’s play 3 is very successful, but as a composition, 
I hear, poor stuff. It is in fact written by Macready, who 
has left out all the author’s poetry which is not verse, and 
philosophy which is not prose. The scenery and cos- 

2 Tom Duncombe’s motion on theatrical amusements in Lent. 

3 Richelieu. 


LORD BEACONSPIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


89 


tumes unprecedentedly gorgeous and correct; the acting 
very good. My last speech 4 was very successful, the best 
coup I have yet made. And it was no easy task, for I 
spoke against the Government, the great mass of the 
Conservative party, and even took a different view from 
the small minority itself. I was listened to in silence and 
the utmost attention. Peel especially complimented me, 
sore as he was at the Conservative schism, and said, 
“ Disraeli, you took the only proper line of opposition to 
the bill;” and Hardinge, a sharp critic, said I had en¬ 
tirely got the ear of the House, and overcome everything. 
The dilemma as to O’Connell was perfect, and made a 
sensation. He would have replied, but Peel caught the 
Speaker’s eye, and after him young O’Connell took the 
cue, and attempted to answer me. The Duke of Buck¬ 
ingham talks of nothing but “ Buckinghamshire Lays.”— 
Love to all. D. 

March 22 , 1839. 

I spoke last night, 5 but without any preparation, as I 
was not even aware that Hume’s motion was coming on. 
I made some telling hits, being a rechauff'e of some of the 
chief points in the “ Vindication of the English Constitu¬ 
tion.” The Radicals were flustered, and as Henry Ward, 
who followed, succeeded in making no answer to me, 
were obliged to stir up O’Connell, who was inclined to 
be malin , but cautious. Hume was in a great rage be¬ 
cause I said he did not know what representation and 
taxation really meant. On the whole, it was very amus¬ 
ing. The House, though so early, very full, from an 
idea that the Ministry are going to announce their resig¬ 
nation! . . . 

4 Municipal Corporation, Ireland. 

5 On Household Suffrage. 


90 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

The excitement is at the highest; the galleries filled at 
noon, the lobbies and passages lined, strangers in the 
streets appealing to you for orders; every preparation 
for a great battle, which will after all turn out a X. The 
game is in Peel’s hands; but he evidently has resolved 
that the Ministers shall resign and not be turned out. 
The Radicals clamor against him for not permitting them 
to assist him. However, all is bustle, and 500 members 
at prayers, in order to secure places. This is just one of 
those occasions in old days when I used to feel so morti¬ 
fied at not being an M.P. Assisting, as the French say, 
at such a “ crisis” has considerable fascination, and all 
must feel it though they can’t and won’t confess. One 
cannot walk down Parliament Street under such circum¬ 
stances without some degree of exultation. 


June 4, 1839. 

A great day of hubbub. The Lord Chamberlain re¬ 
signed on Saturday, and the Speaker to-day; he holds 
the chair, however, till Whitsuntide. Spring-Rice is the 
Government candidate; but there will be a battle. The 
Grand Duke of Russia rides, the “Morning Post” says, 
d la Uusse , which means, I take it, a Mamelouk gallop. 
I met him at this pace to-day down Regent Street, poor 
Lord Torrington riding after him, and no joke, it being 
his own horse, and mopping his official countenance in a 
most unofficial manner. 

The Chartists are uneasy. Old Wynn has placed him¬ 
self at the head of his county and the troops, and done 
* wonders at Llandiloes, where he has recovered the town 
and routed the rebels. Fine old fellow ! 

Dined enfamille with the Duke of Buckingham, to eat 
venison; a regular Bucks party. Sir East and a widow 
daughter, enthusiastically blue, and boring Chandos 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


91 


about my genius, who seemed quite puzzled and proud at 
having an author for his friend. I believe Lady Anna 
has not been allowed to read the tragedy (“ Alarcos”), 
therefore she hopes it will be acted. She is great fun. 
I hope your voyage was prosperous, and my father bet¬ 
ter. My love to him and my mother.—Yours, D. 

June 8, 1839. 

The debate 6 wanted variety last night, as it may al¬ 
most be said to have consisted only of two speeches, 
taking up more than five hours between them. I don’t 
think either was very successful. Lord John is generally 
feeble in a studied harangue, and tells better in a sharp 
reply. Peel was over-labored and, though partially pro¬ 
duced great effect, hung fire towards the end; besides, 
by rising directly, which he was obliged, after Johnny, 
the House had not dined, and were so famished before 
he had concluded that the cheering was not as hearty as 
usual, but indicated somewhat of the faintness of their 
systems. I am afraid there is no chance of a division 
to-night. The result to numbers is very doubtful. Bon¬ 
ham puts the majority from 15 to 18; I put it 22. 

Douro’s marriage has taken place: a great concourse 
and much cheering in the streets, and would have been 
in the church had not the Dean of Carlisle with apostolic 
naivet'e preliminarily warned the audience. The church 
crowded; three or four ladies in pulpit; pews engaged 
weeks before. I have not seen the lady, but, according 
to Douro, she weighs 11 stone 5 lbs. I hear a beautiful 
face, and came out last year. They were married before 
twelve, and at four o’clock he was riding in the park. 
. . . These, I suppose, as Sir Hugh says, are affectations. 
They drove off at 5.30 to Strathfieldsaye. The Duke 

6 Fleetwood’s motion for giving votes to county 10Z. householders. 


92 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

walked into the church star and gartered, and walked 
home much cheered: the mob wanted to take the horses 
out of the carriage and draw the new marchioness. 

Dined at the Duke of Buckingham’s; the new dining¬ 
room opened for the first time. I was the only com¬ 
moner except Sir W. Freemantle. Lady Mahon full of 
the sonnet, never having before had an opportunity of 
speaking her mind, which I don’t think particularly 
pleased my lord, D. 

June, 1839. 

I hear that eight new peers are to be made. I was at 
Madame Montefiore, n'ee De Rothschild, as she says at 
court: a most magnificent concert. Two royal princes 
(Sussex and Cambridge) and the Duke of Wellington 
gartered and fleeced. Grisi and Persiani sang a duet, 
and the supper very splendid. The weather is at length 
charming, and I think you must really look after my 
summer costume. Eight Radicals go against the Gov¬ 
ernment, and if our own men can be kept together, in¬ 
stead of thirty majority as they talk of, they would not 
have ten. Peel made one of his great speeches; the rest 
very dull. I did not rise, as the only opportunity I had 
was after Hume, and I did not like to speak after a man 
who opposed the Government and really did it very well. 
Lord John has published his letter to his constituents 
and thrown over the Government. The fate of the 
Whigs is sealed, but the moment of their break-up de¬ 
pends of course on circumstances. 

Social London is rather dull, in contradistinction to 
political London; indeed no one thinks of anything but 
politics. I send you a very good thing in the shape of 
Theodore Hook’s epitaph on Lord de Roos—“ Here lies 
Henry, 17th Baron de Roos, in Joyful expectation of the 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 93 

last Trump.” I am reading the Indian papers, which 
are the most amusing thing I have met with since the 
“ Arabian Nights.” D. 

June 23, 1839. 

I didn’t get home till half-past five on Friday morning, 
and had only time yesterday before post to receive the 
congratulations of my friends, which came thick as the 
leaves of Vallombrosa. How strange that nearly in 
despair at the end of the session I should have made by 
universal consent the best speech 7 on our side on the most 
important party question. After listening to Ewart as 
long as he replied or attempted to reply, which was about 
ten minutes or so, I thought the moment he began to 
repeat by rote I might retire, and I went to the Carlton. 
The rumor of my success had preceded me. Canterbury 
was very warm; he has always taken an interest in my 
Parliamentary career. It was Charles Buller who told 
him it was one of the best speeches. I had touched up 
Charley a little, though with courtesy. He is erroneously 
represented in the papers as not being in the House, 
whereas the “ laugh” which you may observe in the report 
was occasioned by his taking off his hat and making me 
a bow. Two of my old foes, Lord Lincoln and Lord 
Ashley, tendered me their congratulations with extended 
hands. As for “ Alarcos,” Colburn, on the strength of 
the speech I suppose, advertises it this morning as “ Mr. 
Disraeli’s Tragedy.” D. 

July 3, 1839. 

I dined at Greenwich with the Duke of Buckingham on 
Saturday. A large party embarked at Whitehall in a 

’ June 21, on National Education. 

7 


94 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


steamer, but I went by land with Lyndhurst. A sumptu¬ 
ous banquet, and Brougham made nearly fifty speeches 
full of comic humor and fierce slashing of Whigs; declared 
it was impossible to turn them out of power, to Chandos’s 
blank despair, because they were not in power, to 
Chandos’s chuckling relief. Lyndhurst was also capital. 
I dined with him yesterday to meet Webster, who is, I 
believe, considered a very refined and spirituel Yankee, 
but seemed to me a complete Brother Jonathan—a re¬ 
markable twang, as “ tyrannical ” and all that; he also 
goes to the levee . A fine brow, lofty, broad, and beetled 
deep-set eyes, and swarthy complexion. He is said when 
warmed to be their greatest orator. Strangford was 
there, very airy and sparkling; all the rest Americans and 
principally relatives. A good story, and true. Brougham 
asked Webster verbally to dine with him, and sent him a 
card the next day headed “To remind.” Webster imme¬ 
diately answered by another card headed “ To acknowl¬ 
edge”—very American, don’t you think ? 

The great storm here was very grand, and blended with 
Lyndhurst’s banquet. Strangford said it reminded him 
of “ Alarcos;” he and “ George” think it by far the finest 
thing I have written, but don’t like the comic parts. 
Wakley says it is the finest play since Shakespeare. 
There ! Sidney Herbert quoted a long passage, just been 
reading it to a lady. I said I was surprised any one could 
look at a tragedy not acted; he said, au contraire, it was 
very much read and talked about. D. 

July 13, 1839. 

I made a capital speech last night on Chartism, of which 
the “Times” gives a fair report. It was made under 
every disadvantage, for the Tories, supposing Chartism 
would be only a squabble between the Whigs and Radicals, 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


95 


were all away, while the Ministerial benches were crowded 
—all the Ministers, all the Whigs, and all the Radicals. 
Peel, however, was in the House, having come down on 
the Penny Postage. It was a very damaging and disa¬ 
greeable speech to the Government, and they didn’t like 
it. 

I dine to-day at the Newspaper Press dinner. I go 
with Lyndhurst, who is in the chair. Powerscourt raves 
about “ Alarcos,” and literally knows it by heart. Milnes, 
the poet, is astonished that I didn’t give it Macready, as 
“ it would have made his fortune.” 

I went down to Rosebank to a petit bal given by the 
Londonderrys, after a dinner to the Duchess of Cambridge 
on her birthday. The place itself is but a beautiful cot¬ 
tage, but there is a grand conservatory more than sixty 
feet long, lofty and broad in proportion, and, adorned 
with festoons of flowers, formed a charming ball-room, 
and I met a great many of my friends. In reality, the 
brilliant moon, the lamplit gardens, the terraces, the river, 
the music, the sylvan ball-room, and the bright revellers, 
made a scene like a festa in one of George Sand’s novels. 
—Love to all. D. 

August 13, 1839. 

I dined at Burdett’s yesterday. Dinner at seven 
o’clock precisely, everything stately and old-fashioned, 
but agreeable. The house charming; the dining-room 
looking into delightful gardens, with much old timber, 
beyond St. James’s Park. I got away by 9.30, and went 
down to the House, which I found dozing in committee, 
but I made a speech. Unfortunately, as generally hap¬ 
pens on long committee nights, there was scarcely a re¬ 
porter in the gallery. I analyzed all the evidence of the 
Constabulary Report. It made great effect, quoting all 


96 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

the pages and names without any document. The com¬ 
plete command of the House I now have is remarkable, 
and nothing can describe to you the mute silence which 
immediately ensued as I rose, broken only by members 
hurrying to their places to listen. On Monday I was 
more than four hours at Lord Palmerston’s private resi¬ 
dence on business of no slight importance. Prince Ester- 
hazy, who came into the dining-room whilst I was wait¬ 
ing, said, “I have come to introduce myself to Mr. 
Disraeli. I have long wished to know you; I read your 
speeches with admiration.” 

I understand the Cabinet is to be reconstructed soon 
after the prorogation, which is to take place on Tuesday. 
Our marriage 8 is fixed for Wednesday. I shall write to 
you every day, however briefly. . . . 

My particular love to my mother, and all. D. 

Kentish Hotel, Tunbridge Wells: September 4. 

Your welcome letter reached me yesterday. We have 
had unceasing rain, and have therefore not left our 
rooms, which we find very agreeable, except to drive to 
Bayham amid squalls, and an excursion to Penshurst yes¬ 
terday amidst showers. De Lisle was out shooting, but 
we saw the children, whom we found quite charming. 
Mr. Sidney, aged thirteen, had gone to school that morn¬ 
ing—Temple Grove to wit, but no longer kept by that 
wretched Pinkney. The three daughters and their gov¬ 
erness received us. Miss Sidney, about fourteen, a most 
interesting girl, though not pretty, her little sisters very 
much so. I have only been on the Pantiles once, and 
have met Lord Monteagle, with whom I am very good 
friends, notwithstanding our skirmishing. There is 

8 Married Mrs. Wyndliam Lewis, August 28, 1839. 


LOKt) beacohsfield's correspohdehce. 97 

scarcely anybody here that we know, or care to know. 
The Thomonds arrived at this hotel on Monday, and have 
called on us—the first visit we have received. Thank 
Tita for his congratulations. D. 

Ship Inn, Dover: September 7. 

We quitted the Wells rather suddenly, resolved to 
take advantage of the fine weather; travelled yesterday 
with our own horses to Ashford, by a cross-road, through 
the Weald of Kent. At Ashford this morning I met 
Knatchbull, who was about to attend a justice meeting 
at our inn. He came upstairs and was introduced to 
Mary Anne. His place is in the vicinity, a deer-park, and 
then comes Deedes. Ashford Church is quite a minster 
in appearance. There is a small chapel lately and richly 
renovated by Lord Strangford; very beautiful, full of 
the tombs of the Smythes. He has repurchased part of 
the family estate in the neighborhood. He has inlaid in 
the wall a bold brazen tripartite tablet, one side contain¬ 
ing an inscription to the memory of his wife, who died at 
Constantinople, the other to his eldest son, and the cen¬ 
tre left blank for himself. From Ashford through Hythe 
we reached Dover to-day, and intend to cross to Calais 
to-morrow. Write to me, Poste Restante, Baden-Baden. 

D. 

Baden-Baden: September 19. 

Our movements have been so rapid since we quitted 
England, that I have had no opportunity of writing be¬ 
fore, with any definite idea of our progress or purposes. 
A rough but very rapid passage carried us to Calais, only 
two hours and twenty minutes, but Mary Anne suffered 
dreadfully, as indeed all the passengers except myself. 
However, we got off the evening of our arrival, and slept 


98 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


at Dunkerque; arrived at Ostende the next day, just as 
the train was about to start for Brussels; got our car¬ 
riage hoisted on and reached that place at 8.30. Very 
hungry, for we had not dined; we drove in despair to 
the Bellevue and all the great hotels in turn, finding them 
all full; at last got lodged in an entresol at the Britan- 
nique, grateful even for this wretched shelter. From 
Brussels reached Liege, through Antwerp by a railroad, 
then posted the next day through Aix-la-Chapelle, which, 
like every town in Belgium, is wonderfully improved in 
external appearance since my early visit. We arrived at 
Cologne two hours before the steamer set off. Completed 
the whole passage to Pforzheim without leaving the boat, 
sleeping very comfortably in our carriage, and on Mon¬ 
day found ourselves quartered in the Baden Hof. Such 
are the revolutions of modern travel ! 

This is the most picturesque, agreeable, lounging sort 
of place you can imagine. A bright little river winding 
about green hills, with a white sparkling town of some 
dozen palaces called hotels, and some lodging-houses, like 
the side scenes of a melodrama, and an old ruined castle 
or two on woody heights. I don’t think we shall stay 
more than a week. Mary Anne says it is not much bet¬ 
ter than Cheltenham—public dinners, balls, promenades, 
pumps, music and gambling. The dining at the table 
dhotes , an invariable custom, is amusing and cheap. We 
think of going from here to Munich, only about 150 or 
200 miles; it would be a result. I shall arrange that any 
letter you have already directed here shall follow me; in 
the mean time direct to Munich. I got a sight of English 
papers and “ Galignani ” at the library here, which was of 
course welcome. Yours ever affectionately, D. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 


99 


Munich: October 2. 

We have been so constantly on the wing since we left 
Baden, that it has been impossible for me to write to you 
before. We travelled from Baden to Stuttgart, through 
the Black Forest for two days, a region of uninterrupted 
interest, most savage and picturesque, though rich from its 
vegetation and occasional valleys of pasture. We trav¬ 
elled for a whole day through an almost impenetrable forest 
of black pines, occasionally cleared for a few miles, and of¬ 
fering most charming views of villages watered by rush¬ 
ing streams and backed by villages, valleys, and amphi¬ 
theatres of hill over hill, all covered with the black pine; 
the weather cloudless, and very hot. Stuttgart a very 
handsome town of the Turin school, modern but improv¬ 
ing; but the Grecian villa of the king in the park is 
charming, and most tastefully furnished. We fell upon 
great fdtes, which pleased us much. The king, sur¬ 
rounded by a brilliant court, sat in a pavilion in the midst 
of a beautiful mead, which was inclosed by tiers of cov¬ 
ered seats, and distributed prizes to the Wurtemberg 
peasants for oxen, horses, etc. ’Twas much finer than the 
tournament. More than 20,000 persons I should think 
present; the peasantry in rich and bright dresses, dark 
velvets with many large silver buttons, vivid vests, and 
three-cornered cocked hats. It was fine to see a family 
leading a bull crowned with roses, rams worthy of the 
antique garlanded for altars. After this races, which 
were not very good, though the passion of the king is for 
horses, and his stables are, I believe, the finest in Europe. 
The whole scene was very patriarchal, though her Maj¬ 
esty came in half a dozen blue carriages with scarlet liv¬ 
eries. The king rode a fine barb, followed by grooms, 
etc., in scarlet. 

We visited the studio of Dannecker, and I insisted on 


100 LORD BEAGONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

seeing the artist, whom I found a hale old man, more than 
eighty, but with a disorder in his throat which prevents 
him from speaking. He was much affected by our wish¬ 
ing to see him, and when we drove off opened the win¬ 
dow of his room, waved his hand, and managed to say, 
“ Yiva, viva !” 

I have read enough of Hallam to make me thirst for 
literary history in detail. He takes of all things a com¬ 
prehensive view, and handles them with a vigorous grasp, 
but is more strong in the legal division than in others. 
A mere general view is all he can take of any subject. I 
think it will revive and restore the taste for literary his¬ 
tory, which all able works thereon inevitably must. I 
don’t think his English literature his strongest point. He 
is very meagre and unjust—on Sir Thomas Browne for 
instance. Compare Hallam with Coleridge hereon. He 
never notices the extraordinary imagination of B. In 
general, I see in Hallam a dash of German affectation in 
his style, which he has imbibed of late years. My paper 
is full. Thousand loves to all. D 

Munich: October 14, 1839. 

After a fortnight’s residence in this city, I find it diffi¬ 
cult to convey to you an idea of it. Since Pericles no 
one has done so much for the arts as the King of Bavaria. 
Galleries of painting and sculpture, Grecian temples, 
Gothic and Byzantine churches, obelisks of bronze, eques¬ 
trian statues of brass, theatres and arcades painted in 
fresco, are but some of the features of splendor and taste¬ 
ful invention which on every side solicit the eye, and 
which I can only allude to. The Royal chapel has the 
most astonishing interior in Europe; entirely painted in 
fresco on a rich gold ground. This art of fresco-painting 
he has entirely revived. His painted glass equals the 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 101 


most vivid of the old windows. His patronage has pro¬ 
duced a first-rate architect in Klenze, and the most re¬ 
markable sculptor in Europe in Schwanthaler, a pupil 
once of Thorwaldsen, and with much of his style, though he 
combines with classic taste feudal genius. Our days have 
passed in a round of sight-seeing, and Munich is not yet 
exhausted. The king returned, after a long absence, four 
days back, since which the -city has been very gay: re¬ 
views, a new statue opened, an installation of the Knights 
of St. Max, races, the Queen’s birthday, etc. We have 
seen the king several times, tall, meagre, and German—a 
poet, which accounts for Munich, for a poet on a throne 
can realize his dreams. D. 

Hotel de TEurope, Rue Rivoli, Paris: November 4. 

We arrived here on Saturday very well; and your 
very welcome letters reached me instantly. October un¬ 
til the last two days presented to us a cloudless sky, 
which rendered our travelling from Munich to Frankfort 
very agreeable. We visited Ratisbon, a very ancient 
Gothic city. Walhalla, a height on the Danube, crowned 
with a Grecian temple larger than the Parthenon, but of 
beauty not less eminent, raised to the genius of Germany 
by the king of Bavaria; Nuremberg, a city which retains 
all its olden character, the Pompeii of the middle ages; 
and Wurtzburg-on-the-Maine, once the capital of a 
princely prelate who sojourned in a much nobler palace 
than our sovereigns. So to Frankfort, where after a few 
days we crossed the Rhine, having travelled in our tour 
by the waters not only of that river, but of the Neckar, 
the Danube, and the Maine: the four principal rivers of 
Germany. The Neckar and the Maine are charming, 
though not as famous as the Rhine, nor offering at one 
point such an aggregate of beauties as are clustered to- 


102 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

gether between Bingen and Coblentz. The famous 
Danube is but an uncouth stream; its bed is far too con¬ 
siderable for its volume, so that it presents a shallow, 
shoaly look, with vast patches of sand and shingle in the 
midst of its course. 

Henry Bulwer, who is now a great man, called on us 
on Sunday, and we met afterwards at dinner at the 
Charles Gores’. The Goulburns left this place this morn¬ 
ing, and the Brinsley Sheridans are also here. 

“ Galignani ” meets me every morning on the break-, 
fast-table, which is very pleasant. I have contrived to 
keep pretty au fait with what has gone on, so that I shall 
not be a stranger when I return, which I suppose will be 
about the end of the month. I have got Rogers’ rooms 
here, who quitted Paris with his sister and old Mr. and 
Mrs. Fonblanque on Monday. I hope my father has 
made progress. I think Hallam provokes the appetite 
for a continuous history full of biographical detail. His 
style is very careless at times, and often ungrammatical, 
but that is better than his Germanisms; but he is vigor¬ 
ous and comprehensive. ’Tis a review article in four 
volumes, not a history. D. 

Paris: November 22, 1839. 

I hope to reach England in a week, and shall be very 
glad to find myself there again. The political horizon is 
cloudy and disturbed, but the serious illness of the Duke 
of Wellington, which has just reached our Embassy, may 
yet assist the Whigs on their last legs. I always hold 
that no one is ever missed, but he is so great a man that 
the world will perhaps fancy his loss irreparable. I have 
received all my letters from the Carlton and Grosvenor 
Gate through Henry Bulwer’s kindness. We have been 
very gay in Paris and our friends very kind to us, having 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 103 

been invited to the Embassy, Canterburys, Sheridans, 
etc. One day we dined at a complete party of English 
Catholics, friends of Mary Anne, at a Mr. Nangle’s, who 
married a Miss Tichborne, daughter of Sir Henry and 
sister of Lady Dormer, to meet John Bennett, eldest son 
of Bennett of Wilts, who has just married a Tichborne, 
also very young and pretty, and now travelling. All of 
them very agreeable people, but our host after dinner 
called up his son to introduce to me, “ Chidiock Tich¬ 
borne Nangle,” so named in consequence of the paper in 
the “ Curiosities of Literature.” He said the Tichborne 
family would shed tears over that article. Mary Anne 
is particularly well, and in her new costumes looks like 
Madame Pompadour, who is at present the model of Paris 
—at least in dress. We have been to the Grand Opera to 
see the “ Fairy Lake” of Auber, and to the “ Proscrit,” a 
new play at a small theatre by Eugene Soulie, very Gallic 
and effective, i.e. affected and affecting. Paris is very 
much changed since my first visit; there are trottoirs in 
every street, and in the most ordinary corners you find 
shops which Regent Street cannot equal. But their 
efforts in the higher arts, of which they talk so much, 
will not pass muster after Munich. We hope to meet my 
father quite himself again. D. 


Grosvenor Gate: November. 

Your letter would have made me very happy had it 
brought more satisfactory tidings of my father. I had 
persuaded myself from your account that the enfeebled 
vision 9 merely arose from bodily health, sedentary habits, 
etc. We are very uneasy and unhappy about him, and 

9 This was the commencement of the blindness from which he 
never recovered. 


104 LORD beacobtsfield’s CORRESPONDENCE. 


we would take great care of him if h& would come up 
for advice. Everything is very flat, and we live in the 
midst of perpetual fog, and shall be glad when business 
will let us find ourselves at Bradenham. 

In spite of all the Cabinet Councils, the day for the 
meeting of Parliament seems as yet uncertain. The de¬ 
ficit in the Post Office in London this morning ( i.e . Lon¬ 
don alone) was 800£. The Government are chagrined; 
but Maberly told a friend of mine that though it was 
certain to fail they must go on, that the existence of 
the Government depended on it. Brougham has written 
to the benchers of Lincoln’s Inn to request that his daugh¬ 
ter may be buried there, as he has always intended that 
his own ashes should repose in their sanctuary. Granted 
nem. con.; the first woman that has ever been interred in 
an inn of court. D. 

December 18, 1839. 

Dearest, 

Alexander has just left us; he seems to think with 
skill and care my father ought to recover his sight. 
There is no news otherwise, except my father thinks me 
looking very well, which makes me fear he is really blind, 
as this is the first time in his life he ever thought so. 
Last week we dined en famille with Mrs. Montefiore to 
meet Antony Rothschild, who is to marry one of the 
Montefiores, Charlotte. There were Rothschilds, Monte- 
fiores, Alberts, and Disraelis—not a Christian name, but 
Mary Anne bears it like a philosopher. 

D’Orsay sent on his horse to Wycombe Abbey, as Bob 
Smith has none “ worth riding,” but he could not get out 
of the house the whole time he was there, even to pay 
you a visit. It was so foggy he was obliged to give it 
up. They had a roaring, robustious, romping party, of 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 105 

which he gave very amusing details. Playing hide-and- 
seek, they got into the roof, and Albert Conyngham fell 
through the ceiling of one of the rooms. An immense 
long leg dangling out, Carrington came to look at it with 
his eye-glass, but took it very good-humoredly. Great 
regrets on his part that I was not at Bradenham. 

Parliament fixed for January 16. D. 


106 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1840. 

Penny post—Fear of Chartists—Visit to Stowe—First political din¬ 
ner—Queen’s marriage fixed—Debate on non-confidence—Prince 
Albert—Privilege—Visit to sheriffs in prison—Address to Queen 
on her marriage—Good speech—Speaker’s levee—Brighton— 
Death of Lady Cork—Meets Rogers—Prince Albert at Exeter 
Hall—Ministers defeated—Scene in House—Crockford retires— 
Two speeches—Ball at Stowe to Queen Dowager—Fiasco of 
Louis Napoleon—Wolbeding—Breakfast with Horace Walpole— 
Beyrout taken—Death of Lord Holland—Deepdene—Cambridge 
Election for High Steward—Excitement—Lyndhurst returned 
with triumph—Birth of Princess Royal—Spanish puddingy— 
Christmas party at Deepdene. 


January 15, 1840. 

Dearest, 

This new penny post is hateful, as one must write so 
early. It closes at five o’clock, and news is never heard 
till that hour. The other night all the town was terrified 
with expected risings of the Chartists. The troops or¬ 
dered to be ready, the police in all directions, and the 
fire-engines all full, as incendiarism was to break out in 
several quarters. They say the news came to the Gov¬ 
ernment from St. Katharine Docks; some smell a hoax, 
and say that the Ministers were only informed that the 
Chartists were going to set the Thames on fire. 

The Landgravine is dead; on dit she is to be buried at 
Windsor. The Duke of Sussex very ill. We enjoyed 
our visit to Stowe; went to the Buckingham Ball. The 
exterior of the mansion realizes all I expected; the inte¬ 
rior in some respects falls short. The library is good, and 
the library of MSS, most rich and rare, the prints still 


lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 107 


more so. The illustrated Grainger must have cost thou¬ 
sands; Horace Walpole’s letters, illustrated, are in twenty 
elephantine folios, in a cabinet to themselves. D. 

January 21, 1840. 

The parliamentary campaign begins fiercely—war to 
the knife. Tuesday week will, I suppose, decide the fate 
of the. session. The Duke moved an amendment unex¬ 
pectedly; but we were not prepared in the Commons to 
second him, having been told our presence would not be 
necessary; and a bad division would have thrown a 
damper over the impending struggle. Peel congratu¬ 
lated me very warmly on my marriage. . . . Stockdale’s 
affair 1 gets every hour more embroiled. Yesterday I 
gave my first male dinner party. Everything went off 
capitally; Lyndhurst, Strangford, Powerscourt, Ossul- 
ston, D’Orsay, Sir R. Grant, and Sir L. Bulwer, etc. I 
rather think Leader will vote with us, but he is of little 
use alone. Grote has gone to Paris, and Molesworth has 
not yet come up; all the rest of the Radicals are bribed, 
except old Fielden, who, I believe, votes with us. I dare 
say they will have 12 to 15 majority. I have been intro¬ 
duced at last formally to the Duke of Wellington at 
Lyndhurst’s; he accorded me a most gracious and friend¬ 
ly reception, and looked right hearty. The Queen is to 
be married February 10th. D. 

January 31, 1840. 

Dearest, 

Here is a hurried sketch of our debate. 2 Sir Yarde 
Buller was very bad, but not much less effective than 
Acland last year in a similar position, but more stupid, 

1 Question of privilege. 

2 Debate on non-confidence. 


108 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


the difference being—Sir Tom only stuttered, Sir John 
stuck. Sir George Grey made a dashing House of Com¬ 
mons speech, which I should have liked to have answered, 
but as he concluded about eight, and I had not dined, it 
was impossible. I had no intention of speaking the first 
night, for although I said some good things, and was very 
well received, I was debarred by circumstances from mak¬ 
ing the speech I had intended. The fact is the Govern¬ 
ment put up Gisborne, who is sometimes a wonderful 
rhetorician, and produces great effects in a crowded house, 
but uncertain. There had been a general rumor ^he was 
to make a great display, and when he got up Freemantle 
came to me and asked me to reply to him. He began very 
well, but after some little time regularly broke down, was 
silent for some moments, sent for oranges, coughed, stuck 
again and again, and finally pleading “ some physical 
inability” which had suddenly deprived him of his voice, 
sank overwhelmed with his own exposure. We thought 
he was drunk, but the Whigs say the fault was he was 
not; and that when he is tipsy, and is not prepared, he is 
very good. I found, however, I had a lame bird to kill, 
or rather a dying one; and though I made a somewhat 
brilliant guerilla operation, there was not that solid prac¬ 
tical movement that I had originally contemplated. The 
next night we had it all our own way, Ho wick making the 
most extraordinary announcement, which you have read, 
and alone justifies the debate. Graham very vigorous and 
malignant, and Macaulay plunging into the most irretriev¬ 
able slough of failure you can possibly conceive. Noth¬ 
ing could be worse—manner, matter, and spirit; ludi¬ 
crously elaborate, and perfectly inappropriate. The 
Speaker with difficulty preserved order, and it was clear 
to every one that in future Macaulay will no longer com¬ 
mand the House on such an occasion. Yesterday we 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


109 


again had it all our own way; Stanley being very effec¬ 
tive. The debate is with us, but the division will, I ap¬ 
prehend, be very seedy. D. 

February 12, 1840. 

I did at last succeed in seeing Prince Albert. He is 
very good-looking, and they are now enjoying themselves 
on the slopes of Windsor. The Duke of Bucks has dined 
with me; he was really quite gay, and seemed delighted 
with everything, which with him is very rare, as society 
bores him. I have asked sixty M.P.’s to dine with me, 
and forty have come. I shall now rest upon my oars. 
We are in great confusion with Stockdale. He bore his 
examination with great coolness, without being audacious, 
and unbroken presence of mind. The sheriffs and under¬ 
sheriffs have been under examination, but the House only 
gets deeper in the mire, and I think the result is that they 
must commit the sheriffs, which will occasion a riot, and 
eventually the judges, which will cause a rebellion. If 
Follett had not misled Peel originally, the Whigs would 
have been crushed. We inflicted a tremendous blow on 
the Government yesterday, practically more than if we 
had carried the non-confidence vote. Herries’ speech, of 
its kind, was a masterpiece; perspicuous, poignant, pol¬ 
ished, and never failing in a single point. I had no idea 
of his calibre. Labouchere broke down, the Chancellor of 
the Exchequer only floundered. 


February 16. 

I have been to see the sheriffs in prison. They really 
think themselves martyrs. I told them they would “live 
in history,” and they answered “ No doubt of it.” . . . 
When do you come to town ?—Yours, D. 

S 


110 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


February 18, 1840. 

I went up with our House, 3 very strong in numbers, and 
very brilliant in costume, and it was generally agreed that 
I am never to wear any other but a Court costume; being, 
according to Ossulston, a very Charles II. The Peers 
preceding our procession by only half an hour, the golden 
carriages of the Chancellor and the Speaker were almost 
blended in the same crowd, and the quantity of person¬ 
ages of note, to say nothing of courtiers, gentlemen-at- 
arms, and beef-eaters, was very fine. All our men were 
costumed but Scholefield and Muntz, and a few Rads, in¬ 
cluding, to my surprise, O’Connell en bourgeois. The 
Speaker, with John Russell on his right and Peel on his 
left, both in the Windsor uniform, marched up to the 
throne in good style, we followed somewhat tumultuously. 
The Queen looked well; the Prince on her left in high 
military fig, very handsome, and the presence was alto¬ 
gether effective. Always having heard the palace abused, 
I was rather agreeably surprised. The hall is low, but the 
staircase is not ineffective, and I was amused, for the 
scene was busy and brilliant. 

I have received nothing but congratulations about my 
speech, 4 and it is impossible to give you any account of 
all the compliments, congratulations, and shaking of 
hands, etc., which occurred in the lobby during the divi¬ 
sion. Continued cheering, the House very full about 
half-past ten, when I sat down a prime hour, and every 
man of distinction there. I hope my father improves.— 
Love to all, D. 

3 Address to the Queen on her marriage. 

4 On question of privilege. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. Ill 

March, 1840. 

All the world of late has been talking of the “ Shuck- 
boro” correspondence, which will be sent you, therefore I 
need not describe it. A strange medley of witty vulgar¬ 
ity on the part of Lady Seymour, and purse-proud osten¬ 
tation on that of her correspondent. It will make you 
laugh, I think. To-night we are to beat the Government 
—re Newport job. It will be a sporting debate, and 
worth listening to. I went to the Speaker’s levee, which 
was very full, though not a leading man on either side 
visible. D. 

York Hotel, Brighton: April 20. 

We have found this place pleasant enough, the weather 
being very fine. I have eaten a great many shrimps, 
which are the only things that have reminded me lam on 
the margin of the ocean; for it has been a dead calm the 
whole week, and I have not seen a wave or heard the 
break of the tide. There are a good many birds of pas¬ 
sage here, like ourselves. I had a long stroll with the 
Speaker, 5 who is the most amiable of men and not one of 
the least agreeable, fresh as a child and enjoying his holi¬ 
days. 

I think the volume of miscellanies most charming in 
appearance, and its contents most inviting. I cannot 
doubt of its extreme popularity when known. I hope 
you will give me a good bulletin of all in Half-Moon 
Street. I long to see you all. D. 

June 1, 1840. 

No news, except on dit Lowther or his son-in-law, 
Broadwood, have bought the opera-house and, I suppose, 
all the dancers besides. 


5 Sliaw-Lefevre, now Viscount Eversley. 


112 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

After all, poor Lady Cork did not die of old age: she 
was arranging her plants in a new fashion and caught 
cold. On Saturday at Hope’s I sat next to Rogers, and 
he made one or two efforts at conversation which I did 
not encourage; but after the second course (Rogers hav¬ 
ing eaten an immense dinner), both of us in despair of 
our neighbors, we could no longer refrain from falling 
into talk, and it ended by a close alliance, the details and 
consequences of which are so amusing that I must reserve 
them for our visit. 

All the world has been this morning to Exeter Hall to 
see Prince Albert in the chair. Peel moved one of the 
resolutions, and produced a great effect on his Highness. 

June 12, 1840. 

The political world is convulsive; the Government, by 
extraordinary efforts and pledging themselves that if in a 
minority they would resign, hardly induced Howick and 
all the malcontents and shufflers to return to their allegi¬ 
ance, came to a pitched battle again last night, and were, 
to our surprise as much as their own consternation, ignobly 
defeated. After this occurred a scene which only could 
be compared to Donnybrook fair. O’Connell insanely 
savage; the floor covered with members in tumultuous 
groups; Stratford Canning, pale as a spectre, with out¬ 
stretched and arraigning arm; hooting, cheering, groan¬ 
ing, and exclamations from unknown voices in the sena¬ 
torial crowd. Maidstone, in full dress fresh from the 
Clarendon, re-enacting the part of the English Marcellus, 
and Norreys with a catcall. 

Fancy Gordon falling asleep over his despatches in the 
Speaker’s private room! What a droll casualty ! Old 
Gore Langton “ lost his way.” He is eighty-five. We 
never have a single man absent. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 113 


One great resignation has occurred. Last night Crock- 
ford sent in a letter announcing his retirement. ’Tis a 
thunderbolt, and nothing else is talked of; ’tis the great¬ 
est shock to domestic credit since Howard and Gibbs. 
Some members are twelve years in arrear of subscrip¬ 
tions^ One man owes 700£. to the coffee-room; all must 
now be hooked up. The consternation is general. Moors 
that were hired are given up, and yachts destined to the 
Mediterranean must now lie in harbor. D. 

July 15, 1840. 

These last days I have been so pressed with various 
affairs that I have not been able to summon spirits enough 
for correspondence, though I have found two occasions 
to make speeches. Last night I massacred Dr. Bowring. 
The only report that gives you the least idea of what I 
said is in the “ Morning Chronicle,” for the debate came 
on late, unexpectedly, and in committee, when reporters 
are generally slack and absent, expecting nothing hut 
conversation. 

I answered the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and was 
replied to by the President of the Board of Trade, who, 
however, had nothing to say for himself, and was obliged 
to take refuge in mere assertions. My facts flabbergasted 
him, as well as Bowring’s champion, Hume, who was 
ludicrously floored. His speech is not in the least re¬ 
ported, hut convulsed the House when he said the “lion, 
and learned member for Maidstone” had taken him by 
surprise, quoting authors he had never read, etc. etc. 
Peel most gallantly came to the rescue of his “ hon. friend 
the member for Maidstone,” and gave me immense kudos. 

D. 


114 LORD BEACONSEIELD*S CORRESPONDENCE. 


July 21, 1840. 

I spoke again 6 last Friday — fairly reported in the 
“ Times,” but being of an ironical vein was difficult to 
see under. Bowring has written me a letter of Christian 
mildness. He has only confirmed the two points of 
which I was not certain. He is ruined by my oration, 
and is to be employed no more. This is a fact. The 
other point was nothing, as he is no longer in Parliament; 
but everybody thought he was very learned and all that. 

We had a pleasant dinner at the Horace Twisses, and 
Theodore Hook among the number. He was very amus¬ 
ing, and would not join the ladies: “We are very com¬ 
fortable here,” etc. At last a pompous butler flounced 
in to announce “ Coffee” (Mrs. Horace having an even¬ 
ing party, and being in despair at our delay). “Sir,” 
said Theodore, staring the astonished butler out of coun¬ 
tenance, “ my name is Tea Hook.” 


August 7. 1840. 

I am anxious to hear news of you all from Beaumaris; 
this charming weather is doubly agreeable when I re¬ 
member how much it must contribute to your pleasure, 
and I rejoice that you should see some picturesque 
scenery under such advantages. For us we are to go to 
Buckingham on Tuesday, preliminary to the ball the 
next night. Henry Smith gives us shelter, as lodgings 
are not to be obtained. I look forward to it all with an¬ 
ticipatory disgust. A Queen Dowager seems to me as 
uninteresting a personage as can well be imagined—no 
power, and, in the present instance, no society, for she 
has not a court, although we pay for it. The Lyndhursts 
have gone to Stowe to-day grumbling. 


Factory Bill. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 115 

I saw Lord Carrington at the opera, but I am not clear 
the lady with him was his bride; she had a gracious ap¬ 
pearance. He was married to-day, the lady in dress of 
Bucks lace. All Foresters asked, but no Smiths, except 
Gardener. 

The morning papers publish two editions, and Louis 
Napoleon, who last year at Bulwer’s nearly drowned us 
by his bad rowing, has now upset himself at Boulogne. 
Never was anything so rash and crude to all appearances 
as this “ invasion,” for he was joined by no one. A fine 
house in Carlton Gardens, his Arabian horses, and excel¬ 
lent cook was hardly worse than his present situation.— 
Yours, L>. 

August 15, 1840. 

We have returned from our Buckingham festivities. 
I understand the outdoor part, as far as triumphal arches, 
processions, crowds in the gardens, etc., was very success¬ 
ful. Nothing could be more dull than the indoor por¬ 
tion; by all accounts, and from my own observation, 
nothing more completely a failure than the ball itself. A 
party of visitors with the Queen Dowager and the Arch¬ 
bishop of Canterbury for principal guests was certainly 
not very promising, and Lyndhurst shook his head when 
we met with an expression which spoke volumes. There 
was a temporary room for the ball, which was in itself a 
blunder, as anybody can guingettise, and princes give 
balls because they have palaces. But the booth was of 
colossal dimensions, of immense height, and capable of 
holding 1500 to 2000 people. There were not 400, and 
these included the scrapings of the county, and so many 
priests that it had the character of the Archbishop’s levee. 
The supper was gorgeous from the display of plate, but 
rather scanty in provisions. The only Whig was Yerney. 


116 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


The Duke gave his arm to Mary Anne, and took her up 
to the Duchess in grandiose style. The High Sheriff sent 
her home in his carriage, there being some mistake about 
ours. Dering, with a lady in a diamond tiara under his 
arm, is something too rich ! I scribble in sad haste, but 
hope you will catch an idea. D. 

Wolbeding: September 7,1840. 

We are staying a few days with the Maxses. There 
is no one here except Tom Duncombe; but, as you know, 
the place is very beautiful, a paradise of flowers and con¬ 
servatories, fountains and vases, in the greenest valley 
with the prettiest river in the world. This was a former 
temple of Whiggery. Charles Fox’s statue and portrait 
may be seen in every nook and every chamber, a sort of 
rural Brookes’s. 


September, 1840. 

Walpole went to dine yesterday with the Miss Berrys, 
who now live at Richmond; the party consisting of Miss 
Montague, Guizot, and Pollington—very rechercli'e, and 
“ Strawberry Hillish.” The old ladies a little in love with 
the Horace Walpole of the nineteenth century, who, by 
the bye, is more elegant, fantastical, and interesting than 
ever, and talks of changing his name, retiring to Parma 
or Cremona, or some city equally decayed and unvisited. 
Venice too vulgar, with Monckton Milnes writing son¬ 
nets in every gondola, and making every bridge “a 
bridge of sighs.” I breakfasted with him to-day, and he 
really was divine. I never met anything like him—such 
a stream of humor, fancy, philosophy, and quotation, in 
every language. When last in Egypt he met Botta, who 
talked of me much. 

Peace, peace is the order of the day, and French funds 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 117 

have risen 5 per cent in one day. The Princess Augusta 
still lives, but everybody else in London seems dead. I 
have not read the trial of Madame Lafarge with any at¬ 
tention, which I regret; but it seemed to me that the 
French do not acknowledge any of our principles of the 
law of evidence. The mysteries of Orfila and the cada¬ 
verous smell remind one of a proems in the middle ages. 
I met a lady a few days back who knew Madame—not 
pretty, but trbs gentille in her appearance. There is a 
portrait of her in the “ Charivari,” which bears an ar¬ 
senic look, taken in court. Walpole has no doubt of her 
guilt, and thinks she took the idea of the white powder 
from “ Vivian Grey.”—Thousand loves. D. 

October 15, 1840. 

The King of Holland has abdicated, and Beyrout, after 
a bombardment of nine hours, has been taken by the 
English. The Cabinet have decided on “ carrying out” 
the treaty of July to the letter, with only four dissen¬ 
tients. On dit that even Lord Holland, that old Gallo¬ 
mania, ratted to Palmerston, who is quite triumphant. 
Great panic exists here, and even the knowing ones, who 
from their confidence in Louis Philippe have all along 
been sanguine of peace, look very pale and blue. Alas ! 
that a Bourbon dynasty, even of Orleans, should abso¬ 
lutely depend for its existence on a Guizot or a Thiers, a 
professor and a redacteur. My domestic ministry, which 
is as troublesome as the French, is provisionally formed. 

October 22, 1840. 

Lord Holland was found dead in his bed this morning. 
This, though not considered as yet a very significant 
event, is in my eyes not unimportant. It breaks up an 
old clique of pure Whiggery, and the death of a single 


118 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


Minister, by causing Cabinet reconstruction, is always of 
some weight. The Whigs say that Lyndhurst will be 
beaten at Cambridge; but affairs have not yet developed 
themselves, so we may hope. 

We have had a delightful visit to Deepdene. In the 
midst of romantic grounds and picturesque park Hope has 
built, or rather is still building, a perfect Italian palace, 
full of balconies adorned with busts. On the front a 
terraced garden, and within a hall of tessellated pavement 
of mosaics, which is to hold his choicest marbles. We 
found there Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Hope, and Harness, now 
grown an oldish gentleman, but still juvenile in spirits, 
and even ready to act charades and spout poetry. Mrs. 
Adrian is French, a child of nature—never heard of Sir 
R. Peel. She is the daughter of the famous General 
Rapp. . . . My heart is with you all, though my letters 
are but brief.—Yours. D. 

November 6, 1840. 

That latitudinarian trimmer, the Bishop of London, 
thinking he could at the same time please the Whigs and 
not mortify Peel, and thus make a hedge of Canterbury, 
has given in his adhesion to Lyttelton. “Est-il possi¬ 
ble ?” as the Prince of Denmark said. The best thing is, 
that the same post brought a letter from Peel of the most 
extraordinary warmth for Lyndhurst, offering a subscrip¬ 
tion and his unlimited services in canvassing for him, a 
copy of which has been sent to the Bishop with the com¬ 
pliments of Lyndhurst’s committee. The secret history 
of all this movement is, that the gentlemen of Trinity 
were tired of waiting for loaves and fishes, and knowing 
that Lyndhurst was abroad, and taking it for granted 
that none of his friends would incur the responsibility of 
bringing him forward, thought it was a fine opportunity 


LORD BEACONSFIELD'S CORRESPONDENCE. 119 


to open a book with the Government. The Duke of 
Wellington is canvassing, and all are now active. The 
absence of Lyndhurst and his ignorance of the contest is 
at least dignified, if injurious; but I don’t think the lat¬ 
ter. 


November 4, 1840. 

Lyndhurst has arrived, looking younger than ever; he 
goes to Cambridge to-morrow. He is perfectly safe; 
indeed, I have heard from a Lyttelton quarter that they 
could only count 600 promises, and L. has 1500 or there¬ 
abouts. 

Lyndhurst visited Metternich, who was fortunately at 
his Bohemian castle, where he had not been for seven 
years. He was very hospitable, courteous, and charming, 
and pledged him freely in his own Johannisberg. Lynd¬ 
hurst saw a good deal of Lord Beauvale, who is a most 
agreeable companion; but physically, mentally, and mor¬ 
ally the perfect double of his brother Melbourne—his very 
chuckle, and the same manner and expression and view of 
men and affairs. 


November 12, 1840. 

Lyndhurst’s election looks safe. Nothing can exceed 
the rancor of the Whigs, except their efforts to crush him. 
It was agreed that the candidates should not go down 
without fair notice to each other. Lyttelton’s committee 
at half-past twelve on Tuesday night sent a note marked 
“ Immediate” to Sir J. Beckett, who had gone to bed, in¬ 
forming him that Lord Lyttelton had just gone down to 
Cambridge. They knocked up Lyndhurst at half-past 
two, who was off at eight o’clock. Lyttelton gained little 
by this ruse; he appeared in the Senate when nothing was 
going on, and everything thin, cold, and scanty. Lynd- 


120 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 


hurst entered at three o’clock, the Senate crowded and the 
breeze in his favor; the tumultuous cheering of the under¬ 
graduates lasted twenty minutes. Nothing can exceed 
the enthusiastic popularity of our friend. Old Miss Hatch 
opens her mansion, beds and all, to voters for Lyndhurst; 
the new Tory mayor equally hospitable. Fat old Barnes, 
of the “ Times,” waddled up to give his vote; he was rec 
ognized, and the undergraduates mightily cheered the 
Thunderer, to his infinite satisfaction. . . . 


November 13. 

In haste I write another line to tell you the close of the 
poll by express. 

Lyndhurst . . . .973 

Lyttelton . . . .487 

It is considered one of the greatest triumphs; the other 
side are in despair. The “ Chronicle” says “one of the 
most foolish and timid contests on Lord Lyttelton’s part 
on record,” etc., “ on Lord Lyndhurst’s all enthusiasm.” 
Other papers say Lyttelton was betrayed by “ Dons,” his 
soi-disant friends, etc. I saw Peel yesterday; most 
friendly, and very warm to Lyndhurst. D. 

November 21, 1840. 

The Queen was safely and rather suddenly delivered of 
a princess at ten minutes to two o’clock this afternoon. 
She is doing well, and I believe the child. I write in 
haste and hurry. I have just seen Sir Charles Wethereli 
from Hanover; pleased with his fortnight’s visit to the 
King, who is well and content, “ as comfortable as Kew.” 
. . . There is no doubt that Acre has fallen, and therefore 
the matter is settled. What was the poor Pasha to do 
against all Europe ? He has been infamously misled by 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 121 

that rascal Thiers, a thorough representative of the garni- 
nerie of Paris. In the mean time, the Liberals are infi¬ 
nitely disgusted with Palmerston’s triumph, and quarrel 
among themselves in much the same fashion as Monsieur 
Thiers. 

The Lyndhursts have taken Turville Park unfurnished 
for a term; they called on us to-day. I had not seen the 
conqueror before since his triumph. 

We intend spending Christmas at Deepdene, and from 
thence to Bradenham. We had the Lyndhursts and 
Tankervilles, with Cis Forester and Jlope, to dinner the 
other day, when we had a perfect Spanish pudding. 
Lyndhurst recognized his old Bradenham friend. Tan- 
kerville’s French cook has been trying his “ ’prentice 
hand ” at it, but a fiasco. He says he finds a French cook 
can never execute out of his school, and Cis wants the 
receipt for the mess, but Mary Anne won’t give it.—Yours, 

D. 

Deepdene: December 26, 1840. 

We arrived here a week ago, with our host and Adrian 
Hopes. Then came Mr. Mitchell, very amusing; Baron 
and Baroness de Cetto, Walpole, Lord de Lisle, Sir A. 
Grant, and Lord and Lady Ernest Bruce; two days after 
came Baron Grasdoff, Sir Hume Campbell; and these 
formed our Christmas party, with the addition of the de¬ 
lectable Mr. Hayward. . . . Our party very merry and 
agreeable, and we have had many Christmas gambols, 
charades, and ghosts; and our princely host made all the 
ladies a Christmas box; to Mary Anne two beautiful 
specimens of Dresden china, a little gentleman in cocked 
hat and full dress, and a most charming little lady cov¬ 
ered with lace. A thousand loves, and good wishes for 
a real happy Christmas and New Year. God grant it 
may turn out so for all of us. D. 


122 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1841. 

Interest in impending division—“ Cecil’’—Lord Jocelyn’s book— 
Speech on Sugar Duties—Dinner at Peel’s—Peel’s speech—Pre¬ 
pared for a dissolution—Canvass at Shrewsbury—Returned— 
Triumph—Elections successful—Marriage of Peel’s daughter— 
Election of Speaker—Bernal Osborne. 


February 23, 1841. 

All interest is concentrated in the impending divi¬ 
sion, 1 so closely run. ’Tis supposed that the casualties of 
each day affect almost vitally the numbers, and the gen¬ 
eral opinion is the Ministers will have five majority. 
Lord Lowther has not arrived from France, nor young 
Miles from New York. Not a day has passed without 
more than one member on each side being put hors de 
combat . The Government, however, will make a fearful 
struggle, and have promised the long-sought peerage to 
the Heathcotes, who both showed last night. The Whigs 
had last week two hunting accidents; but Lord Charles 
Russell, though he put his collar-bone out, and we refused 
to pair him, showed last night. Jack Dundas, with a 
compound fracture in Yorkshire, will however be absent. 

I am spoken of with great kudos in “ Cecil ” (le lime 
dujour ), which indeed was given to me for some time 
and is an imitation of the “ Vivian Grey” school. But 
Lord Howden is now universally understood to be the au¬ 
thor, with the exception of myself, for I am not credu¬ 
lous, and think the writer is nearer home; 2 but I shan’t 

1 Irish Registration Bill. 

3 Mrs. Charles Gore. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 123 

whisper my suspicions. Lord Jocelyn’s book* also makes 
a noise, from its complete inanity; his excuse is curious 
and satisfactory. Lord Melbourne cut out the politics, 
Lord Hill the warlike details, and Lord Minto the naval, 
previous to their conceding an imprimatur . D. 

May 15, 1841. 

I spoke with great effect last night in the House, 4 the 
best speech on our side; it even drew “iron tears down 
Pluto’s cheek,” alias, applause and words of praise from 
Peel. A full House about 9.30, and all the Ministers 
there. The times are terribly agitating, and I can give 
you no clue to what may happen. The Ministers from a 
technical difficulty cannot dissolve Parliament at a mo¬ 
ment’s notice, so we must at all events have the warning 
of ten days. Our party at Peel’s was, like all such male 
gatherings, dull enough. I had hopes of at least eating a 
good dinner, for our host entertains well; but that chat¬ 
terbox Milnes would sit next me, and I had not even the 
consolation of a silent stuff. 


May 20. 

The debate on Tuesday was powerful and exciting. 5 I 
dined with the Guests, but regained my post behind Sir 
Robert by ten o’clock, a few minutes before he rose. He 
spoke for three and a quarter hours, equally divided be¬ 
tween commerce, finance, and the conduct of the Govern¬ 
ment; the latter division very happy and powerful. I 
think it will end in dissolution, but I am prepared for it, 
as from all I can learn Shrewsbury seems perfectly secure. 6 

* About China. 

4 Sugar Duties. 

6 Continuation of debate on Sugar Duties. 

6 Parliament dissolved. June 23. 


124 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

Lion Inn, Shrewsbury, June 21, 1841. 

The canvassing here is most severe, from eight o’clock 
in the morn to sunset, scarcely with half an hour’s bait. 
I think all looks very well indeed; all I fear is over-con¬ 
fidence. The gentry have all called on us, and very hos¬ 
pitable in their offers, but which at present I cannot ven¬ 
ture to accept. D. 

Carlton Club: July 7, 1841. 

Here I am again, having been only five days out of 
Parliament! We had a sharp contest, but never for a 
moment doubtful. They did against me, and said against 
me, and wrote against me all they could find or invent; 
but I licked them, and the result is that we now know the 
worst; and I really think that their assaults in the long- 
run did me good, and will do me good. After the chair¬ 
ing, which was gorgeous and fatiguing, after quaffing the 
triumphal cup at forty different spots in Salop—a dinner 
and a speech—we went and stayed till Monday at Loton 
Park, Sir Baldwin Leighton’s, one of the most charming 
old English halls, and filled with a family in their way as 
perfect. A complete old English gentleman, whom I 
first met at Stamboul, a most agreeable wife, the finest 
amateur artist I know, and children lovelier than the 
dawn. We stayed an hour at Shrewsbury on Monday to 
witness the chairing of the county members; slept at 
Birmingham, were lionized the next morning by George 
Whately; and arrived home last night to receive the con¬ 
gratulations of our friends. All in excellent spirits, and 
certain of sixty majority at the least, perhaps more. 

Are there any strawberries left, or will there be in a 
week? We mean to run down by rail to see you.— 
Thousand loves, D. 



LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 125 

July 15, 1841. 

The elections have gone admirably in Ireland, far be¬ 
yond our hopes; but the non-intrusion question has pre¬ 
vented our gains in Scotland from being as considerable 
as they otherwise might have been. We have got rid, 
however, of many bores, specially Briscoe, Gillon a ruf¬ 
fian, that scamp Bob Stewart. Hume is going to Swit¬ 
zerland; Morpeth intends also to travel, the game being 
up at present. They have subscribed, I am told, amply 
in the city for a scrutiny, and will unseat Lord John, 
the only one of the Whig chieftains who has escaped 
unscathed; even O’Connell beaten. Yesterday Lord 
Villiers was married to Peel’s daughter; the church 
crammed, and at the breakfast Prince George proposed 
the health of the bride and bridegroom. Peel acknowl¬ 
edged the toast, and spoke shortly but so pathetically 
that Lord Jersey burst into violent tears. During his 
sketch of the character of a good man, Wilton was seen 
gradually to grow redder and redder, till at length the 
personal allusions overcame him, and he also audibly 
wept. T-told me this, who was there. ... D. 

August 20, 1841. 

The only event that has occurred since our return has 
been the election of the Speaker. . . . The speech was 
successful. Bernal Osborne made a brioche , which I was 
delighted at, as he malignantly attacked me, and his man¬ 
ner most flippant and audacious. After the first minute 
he commenced, “ Gentlemen,” as if on the hustings—cries 
of order. “Well, I suppose you are gentlemen”—cries 
of disgust. After this he five times made the same blun¬ 
der, in fact lost his head. 

9 



126 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


August 31. 

There is no news of any kind; all about appointments 7 
in the papers moonshine. We are frightened about the 
harvest, but as the glass has been gradually rising for 
some days, I do not despair, and if the sun ever shine 
again, we shall get down to Bradenham I hope. 

D. 

7 Lord Melbourne having resigned, Sir Robert Peel had been sent 
for. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 127 


1842 . 

Resignation of Duke of Bucks—Visit to Strawberry Hill—Fired a 
successful shot—Shrewsbury petition withdrawn—Peel’s review 
of session—Paris—Lablache—“The great Mr. Candy”—Society 
in Paris—De Grammont family—Dejazet—Thiers—Sorbonne— 
St. Cloud—Louis Philippe—Court in mourning—Thierry—Gui¬ 
zot—British Embassy—Second visit to St. Cloud—Academie 
Fran 9 aise—Luxembourg—Dinner at the Tuileries—King’s kind¬ 
ness. 

February 2, 1842. 

A thunderbolt in a summer sky could not have pro¬ 
duced a greater sensation than the resignation of the 
Duke of Bucks. All is confusion. I had a long con¬ 
versation with him the other day. “ He has only one 
course—to be honest.” I am sorry to say I hear he has 
taken the Garter. . . . Peel seems to have pleased no 
party, but I suppose the necessity of things will force his 
measure 1 through. Christopher has given notice to-night 
for a 25 s. duty, and Lord John for a fixed. I think 
affairs may yet simmer up into foam and bubble, and 
there may be a row. D. 

April, 1842. 

The horses are at the door, and we are going with the 
living Horace Walpole to visit for the last time Straw¬ 
berry Hill. Last night, after going to the city, I fired a 
most effective shot in the debate—cheered by Peel and 
all the Ministers. Hardinge, giving me his arm, said, 
“ You know what I told you years ago, you would be¬ 
come one of the clearest and most forcible speakers in 


1 Sliding scale of Corn Duties. 


128 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

the House;” and Sir J. Graham remarked, “ Never was a 
party pinned more effectively; the pin was pushed into 
the middle, and to the very head.” Just at this moment, 
when he was unbuttoning his heart, a thick-headed aider- 
man (Copeland) forced himself upon us and spoilt all. 

The Shrewsbury petition is withdrawn. This great 
coup, almost, in the present state of affairs, as great as 
my return, was effected in the most happy manner by my 
agent, Bailey, of Gloucester, without any interference 
and knowledge of either of the great parties. On his own 
responsibility he paired off Shrewsbury against Glouces¬ 
ter. The committees work so ill, under the new system, 
that I really despaired sometimes of keeping my seat, 
and was convinced that the Shrewsbury people would 
proceed. But the Gloucester Whigs prevailed upon them 
to sacrifice themselves for the extrication of their neigh¬ 
bors. ... In the “Journal des Debats” there is a long 
article on the highly interesting debate on “ Affairs in 
the English Chamber.” M. Disraeli is said to have 
pinned Lord Palmerston respecting his belief in the in¬ 
sincerity of Russia. D. 

August 11, 1842. 

This delicious weather makes one sigh for country air, 
but we are still prisoners. Peel made a most effective 
speech last night. He crushed Palmerston, 2 who on the 
last night, like an excited player, lost on one dashing 
stake all his hard-won winnings of the last month. I 
was in the leash to speak, but the effect of Peel’s speech 
was so overwhelming that all the Whigs (Yernon Smith, 
Charley Buller, Hawes, etc.) took refuge in silence, and 
Cobden, seizing the opportunity, attempted, to an impa- 


3 Review of the session. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 129 

tient and excited House, to foist off his intended speech 
of the night before, and turned the whole course of the 
debate, or rather burked it, being followed by Hume, 
Ewart & Co. in an American corn vein. Palmerston 
looked overwhelmed, being mortified by the turn of the 
debate, which rendered his position still more ludicrous— 
most ludicrous, however, when Philip Howard, the butt 
of the House, and who pours forth endless niaiseries , rose 
to vindicate “ his noble friend,” which he did with agon¬ 
izing detail, till Peel went away, the House nearly emp¬ 
tied, and Palmerston bound to remain, even refrained 
from replying, for which he had prepared. By the bye, 
he quoted me very courteously at his commencement, 
and indeed “ went off ” with me, which produced an effect 
in the House. I sigh for news from Bradenham. As 
soon as we have paid you a visit we shall cross the Chan¬ 
nel. D. 

H6tel de l’Europe, Rue de Rivoli: September 26. 

Here we are at our old quarters, and well placed. We 
have taken a suite looking on the Tuileries for three 
months, and get all the sun which is to be had. Our pas¬ 
sage was favorable, so we gained nothing in suffering by 
starting from the Tower, and much of convenience. La- 
blache was one of our fellow-travellers, and was a charm¬ 
ing companion. He beguiled the time with his agreeable 
and polished conversation, and seems even fonder of 
pictures than of music. Also “ the great Mr. Candy,” as 
he was described by the captain of the vessel, with his 
travelling chariot, lady, children, servants, etc.; the lady 
reclining on cushions, the children in various silken cloaks, 
continually changed and adjusted, and Candy himself in 
the height of fashion, florid and frank, with new kid 
gloves, gold-headed cane, and occasionally changing his 


130 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

hat for a tartan-silk cap with a silver-thistle badge. On 
inquiry, he turned out to be a silk-dealer, or warehouse¬ 
man, or something, and was a source of infinite amuse¬ 
ment. He knew me. 

I see by the London papers that a new farce, “ Curiosi¬ 
ties of Literature,” is announced at the Haymarket. 1 
hope the “ Cologne Review” did not incommode Ralph. 
Baron Orten said at Crockford’s the Sunday before we 
left that the King furnished them (the English officers) 
with a table daily at which 300 sat down, not less than 
a guinea per head. “ Quel restaurateur /” exclaimed 
D’Orsay.—Love to mother and all, • D. 

Hotel de l’Europe: October 16. 

For the last ten days we have been having the most 
beautiful weather here, which will, they say, last during 
the month. We have found agreeable acquaintances in 
the De Grammont family. The Duchess, Count d’Orsay’s 
sister, is like him in petticoats. She receives three times 
a week, and the few people in Paris may be found in her 
little house in the Faubourg St. Honore, crammed with 
pretty furniture, old cabinets, and pictures of the De 
Grammonts. The Due, as well as his spouse, extremely 
good-looking, and brother of Lady Tankerville, who is also 
here, and very kind to us. The Due when Due de Guiche 
was an officer in our 10th Hussars, in the days of Lord 
Worcester, Pembroke, and George Wombwell. One of the 
three sons, the Visconte de Grammont, is with them, and 
their two daughters, on the point of coming out, and the 
first considered very pretty, and celebrated in the novels 
of Eugene Sue, the only literature admitted into “ fash¬ 
ionable society” here. We see these Mdlles. de Gram¬ 
mont in the evening, when they are trying their wings, 
previous to a formal debut , and kiss their mother at ten 


/ 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 131 

o’clock and go to bed. Of English here, are the Adrian 
Hopes (who have arrived from Normandy), Henry Hope, 
Smythe, Cochrane, Lord Pembroke, Antony de Roths¬ 
child, Mrs. Montefiore. Antony succeeds the Duke of 
Orleans in his patronage of the turf, and gives costly 
cups, which his horses always win. 

Through Goldsmith I have made the acquaintance of 
Manguin, whom I see much of and like, and Odillon-Bar- 
rot, the leader of the Opposition, called on me yesterday. 
Thiers is in the country, as is almost every other leading 
man, but they will soon cluster in. He frequents the 
salon of the Duchess, and seems in favor with the Carlists. 
We also meet there Princes de Beaufremont, Counts de 
Chambellan, Duchesses de Marmier. What names ! but 
where are their territories ? There are only one hundred 
men in France who have 10,000£ per annum. Henry 
Hope and De Rothschild could buy them all!—Love to 
the parents. D. 

Paris: November 9. 

Our English friends have nearly all departed, and the 
serious illness of the Due de Grammont has put a stop to 
the pleasant reunions at their house. We have dined with 
Lord and Lady Cowley, a very pleasant dinner. Lord 
Pembroke, Lady Aldboro’, H. Bulwer, the Lawrence 
Peels, some attaches, Greville, Heneage, etc. The am¬ 
bassador is very like the Duke, but much taller. Lady 
Cowley has the most polished yet natural manners, very 
well informed and rather clever. Paris is very empty of 
notables, though some few are stealing in. The season 
will be late and sombre, owing to the death of the Prince 
Royal, and the non-consequent autumn meeting of the 
Chambers, which will not now reassemble till the middle 
of January. We have passed an evening at Madame 


132 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

Baudraud’s, the wife of the general and aide-de-camp of 
the King, and friend. She is an Englishwoman, and 
young enough to be his daughter. We met also her 
friend, Miss Tennyson d’Eyncourt, who remembered din¬ 
ing with me seven or eight years ago at Bulwer’s. Many 
Frenchmen have English wives—Madame Lamartine, 
Odillon-Barrot, and De Tocqueville. 

We went to see Dejazet, and I was much disappointed 
and disgusted. She is hideous, and no ability can com¬ 
pensate for such a physique, nor has she grace. But the 
Parisians are still enthusiastic in her favor. She pro¬ 
duced I suppose on me the same effect as Vestris on the 
Americans. [Great revolution in caps and bonnets, but 
no change as yet in dresses. The cardinal capes are uni¬ 
versal.] I have not ventured to ask about my father, but 
your mentioning a visit to town and Tyrrell 3 reanimates 
us. Pray give us news hereon and write to 

Your affectionate D. 

Paris: November 23. 

I think when I wrote last I was on the eve of paying a 
visit to Thiers, whom I found in a very handsome house, 
and in his cabinet, or sanctum, a long gallery-room, full 
of works of art; at the end, his desks and tables covered 
with materials, maps, and books and papers for the life of 
Napoleon, or rather the history of the Consulate and Em¬ 
pire. I stayed with him two hours—a very little man, 
but well proportioned, not dwarfish, with a face full of 
intelligence, and an eye full of fire. Madame Thiers re¬ 
ceiving every evening, Mary Anne and myself paid our 
respects to her a few nights after. We met there Mignet, 
Count Walewski, whom we knew, and others. Madame 


3 The oculist. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 133 

Thiers pretty: her mother, Madame Dome, there, and I 
believe the house, which is very handsome, belongs to 
Monsieur Dome the father-in-law. Next day to the 
Sorbonne, where I paid a visit to the celebrated Cousin, 
late Minister of Instruction, and now Dean of the Univer¬ 
sity: great power of elocution, he delivered a lecture, 
which lasted an hour and a half, very perspicuous and 
precise; dogmatic, but not a pedant. I have seen also 
Dupin, who is rich and lives in a very handsome hotel. I 
also made a visit to the prince of journalists, Monsieur 
Bertin de Yaux; an ox who lives in a fat pasture, 
manured by others. He dwells in a fine hotel, and lives 
like a noble; indeed, few have such a rich estate as the 
“Journal des Debats.” 

Yesterday, however, was my most distinguished visit 
—like a skilful general I kept my great gun for the last. 
On Sunday night I received a letter from the royal aide- 
de-camp in service to inform me that the King would re¬ 
ceive me in a private audience at St. Cloud on the mor¬ 
row at 11.30. I was with his majesty nearly two hours 
alone, the conversation solely political, but of the most 
unreserved and interesting kind. He was frank, court¬ 
eous, and kind. In taking my leave, which of course I 
could not do until he arose, he said he hoped my visit to 
St. Cloud had made as favorable an impression on me as 
mine had on him, that he hoped to see me in the even¬ 
ings at the palace, when he should have the pleasure of 
presenting me to the Queen. There is no Court of any 
kind at this moment, and therefore Mary Anne cannot 
be presented, and we hear that the poor Queen is still 
dreadfully depressed. After my audience had concluded, 
General Baudraud, whom I rejoined in the ante-chamber, 
took me over the palace. 

I ought to tell you that while, previous to the audience, 


134 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 


I was sitting in the chamber of the aides-de-camp, one of 
the courtiers brought me from the King, by his majesty’s 
express order, a despatch just received, and which he had 
not himself read, containing the news of the conquest of 
Cabul and the release of the prisoners. His majesty said 
afterwards he was happy that our meeting took place on 
a day which had brought such good news for England. 

Be very particular and minute in your information 
about my father’s eyes. Scarcely a day passes without 
some inquiry being made after him here, especially by 
the hommes de lettres. His works are universally known 
here, and Buchon, Ste.-Beuve, Bertin de Vaux, etc., are 
familiar with every page he has written.—Yours, D. 

Paris: December 2. 

Since I last wrote I have made a visit to Augustin 
Thierry, or rather a pilgrimage. He is only forty-five, 
but paralyzed to his centre, and quite blind, but he en¬ 
tirely retains his faculties, and with the aid of an amanu¬ 
ensis continues his composition, and even researches. 
He sent many messages to my father. Thierry is mar¬ 
ried, and his wife very worthy and devoted, but she 
takes the words out of his mouth a little too much. 
Afterwards I made my d'ebut at the Comtesse de Castel- 
lane’s, a charming woman of the highest fashion, and who 
smiles on M. Mole, a grand seigneur, and once prime 
minister. I was presented to her by Henry Bulwer, and 
have since presented Mary Anne. On Tuesday I dined 
with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, his first dinner of 
the season, and given only to the great personages; even 
the Cabinet Ministers only appeared at the soiree. The 
guests were the English Ambassador and Austrian 
(Count Apponyi), the Prussian Minister, Due Decazes 
(Grand Referendary of France), Count de Chabot, Alex- 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 135 

ander Humboldt, General Sebastian! (Governor of Paris), 
Baron Regnier (the Chancellor of France), Rothschild 
and myself, and Colonel Fox. Guizot, his mother, very 
old, his sister-in-law, who heads his establishment, and 
his private secretary made up the party. All was sumpt¬ 
uous, and guests with every ribbon of the rainbow. Sat 
between Sebastiani and Rothschild, whom I met for the 
first time. He spoke to me without ceremony, “ I believe 
you know my nephew.” 

On Wednesday we went to a grand rout at the British 
Embassy, where we saw every diplomatic character in 
Paris, including the fat nuncio of the pope, and the 
Greek Minister in native costume. Returning home I 
found a note from General Baudraud, saying the King 
wished to present me to the Queen, and accordingly last 
night I was obliged to go off to St. Cloud, and arrived 
about nine o’clock. I passed, for the first time of my 
life, an evening in the domesticity of a Court. When I 
arrived the Royal Family were still in the apartments of 
the Duchess of Orleans. A few courtiers, and one or two 
visitors, my friend Count Arnim, the Prussian Minister, 
loitering in the saloon, and three ladies sitting at a table 
working. In a quarter of an hour the Court was an¬ 
nounced, and his majesty entered with the Queen, fol¬ 
lowed by Madame Adelaide, the Princesse Clementine, 
the Duke and Duchess of Nemours, and some attendants. 
We formed a distant circle. The Queen and the ladies, 
all in deep mourning, seated themselves round a large 
round table working. Ices were handed, and the King 
commenced speaking a few words to each. He was very 
gracious when he observed me, and, after expressing his 
pleasure that I had arrived, called to a courtier to pre¬ 
sent me to the Queen. Her majesty asked me six ques¬ 
tions, to which I replied. She is tall and sad, with white 


136 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

hair—a dignified and graceful phantom. Then I was 
presented to Madame Adelaide, who is lively, like her 
brother. In the course of the evening the King con¬ 
versed with me a long time. I doubtless owe to his good 
word my grand dinner with M. Guizot, who told me the 
King had observed to him “he had had a most interest¬ 
ing conversation with me.” D. 

Paris: December 21. 

Many thanks for your “ happy returns” received this 
morning. 4 ... We were at a brilliant assembly at 
Countess Apponyi’s the other night. Among others the 
Turkish Ambassador, with two little boys about six and 
eight years of age, in costume, whose diamond tassels to 
their red caps and large melancholy eyes captivated the 
ladies. 

We attended a meeting of the Academie Fran^aise for 
the reception of a new member, the celebrated Baron 
Pasquier, Chancellor of France, who made a long eulo- 
gium on Fassinous, the late Bishop of Heranopolis, and 
was replied to by the president of the day, M. Mignet, in 
a speech of considerable ability. The grand hall of the 
institute was crowded, all the genius and fashion of Paris 
present. My ticket was given me by Comte Mole, Mary 
Anne’s by Guizot. Afterwards I dined at a grand party 
at the Luxembourg, with the Due Decazes, and sat next 
his Duchess, a daughter of St.-Aulaire, the French am¬ 
bassador at our Court. In the evening a reception at 
Madame de Castellane’s to celebrate the election of Pas¬ 
quier, the hero being there himself, and many celebrities. 
I was introduced to Barante, President of the Society of 
French History, of which I have been elected a member. 


4 The writer’s birthday. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 137 


Last week I received a command to dine at the 
Tuileries at six o’clock. I was ushered, through a suite 
of about twenty illuminated rooms, to the chamber of 
reception, where I formed one of the circle, and where I 
found seated the Queen of Sardinia, at present a guest, 
and her ladies. Soon after the Court entered and went 
round the grand circle. I was the only stranger among 
sixty guests. Dinner was immediately announced, the 
King leading out the Queen of Sardinia, and there were 
so many ladies that an Italian princess, duchess, or 
countess fell to my share. We dined in the gallery of 
Diana, one of the chefs-d’oeuvre of Louis XVI. In the 
evening the King personally showed the Tuileries to the 
Queen of Sardinia, and the first lady in waiting invited 
me, and so did the King, to join the party, only eight. It 
is rare to make the tour of a palace with a king for the 
cicerone. In the evening there was a reception of a few 
individuals, but I should have withdrawn had not the 
King addressed me and maintained a long conversation. 
He walked into an adjoining room, and motioned me to 
seat myself on the same sofa. While we conversed the 
chamberlain occasionally entered and announced guests, 
“ S. A. le Prince de Ligne,” the new ambassador of Bel¬ 
gium. “ J’arrive,” responded his majesty very im¬ 
patiently, but he never moved. At last even majesty 
was obliged to move, but he signified his wish that I 
should attend the palace in the evenings. I am the only 
stranger who has been received at Court. There is no 
Court at present, on account of the death of the Duke of 
Orleans; and the Ailesburys, Stanhopes, and Russian 
princes cannot obtain a reception. The King speaks of 
me to many with great kudos; we go very often to the 
Grammonts’ and the Baudrauds’.—Yours, D. 


138 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1843 . 

Opening of the Chambers—Dinner with Odillon-Barrot—Reschid 
Pacha—H6tel de Ville—Masque ball at Opera House—Dinner 
with Mole—Return to England—Speech—Peel frigid—Speech 
on Boundary Question—Visit to Shrewsbury—Ball and races— 
King of Hanover’s visit to London—Daily f£tes—Speech on 
Ireland and Servia—Deepdene—Bradenham. 

Paris: January 16. 

The uncertainty of our movements and the great pres¬ 
sure of business and pleasure have daily made me delay 
writing. Our life goes on the same, only more bustling. I 
have been a great deal at Court; had the honor of drinking 
tea with the Queen and Madame Adelaide alone, and one 
evening was sent for to the King’s cabinet. I am in per¬ 
sonal as well as political favor there. We had tickets 
from the household to witness the opening of the Chambers 
and to hear the King’s speech, which was extremely inter¬ 
esting. The splendid staff of a hundred general officers 
and the marshals of France, in their gorgeous uniforms, 
seated on one bench, very fine. We have been also to 
the Chamber of Peers, worthy of the Roman Senate; to 
the Luxembourg, to a concert given by the Duchess 
Decazes, and we were the only English there. One of 
our most amusing parties was a strictly French dinner, to 
which we were invited by the Odillon-Barrots. A capital 
dinner, and surrounded by names long familiar to me, 
Lamartine, Tocqueville, Gustave de Beaumont; the first 
tall and distinguished in appearance, all intelligent. In 
the evening a soiree, in which all the Opposition figured. 
By the bye, the Turkish Ambassador dined at Barrot’s; 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 139 

I happened to praise some dish which I remembered eat¬ 
ing in Turkey; and on Sunday his cook brought one as 
an offering to Mary Anne. Reschid Pacha is his name, 
a great celebrity. I went by invitation one evening to 
talk Eastern politics and smoke a chibouque, which he 
offered me, brilliant with diamonds. He told me then 
that since we last met he had been recalled, “ a simple 
rappel He knew not whether he was to be disgraced, 
or to be made Prime Minister; but I suspect the latter 
will be his destiny. 

Another day we went to an assembly at the Hotel de 
Ville, given by the wife of the Prefect of the Seine— 
costly beyond description, in the style of the Renaissance; 
and after it, where do you think we went at half-past 
twelve at night, M. and Madame Adolphe Barrot, our¬ 
selves, and Odillon ? To the masqued ball at the Opera. 
They had an admirable box, the scene indescribable. 
Between three and four thousand devils dancing and 
masquerading beyond fancy. A thorough Carnival; the 
salle of the Grand Opera formed into one immense Bel¬ 
shazzar’s hall with a hundred streaming lustres. The 
grand galoppe, five hundred figures whirling like a 
witches’ sabbath, truly infernal. The contrast, too, be¬ 
tween the bright fantastic scene below and the boxes 
filled with ladies in black dominoes and masks, very 
striking, and made the scene altogether Eblisian. Fancy 
me walking about in such a dissolute devilry, with Odillon- 
Barrot of all men in the world, who, though an excellent 
fellow, is as severe as a vieux parlementaire of the time 
of the Fronde. I have omitted much more than I have 
told; but you must manage to pay your visit to town im¬ 
mediately after our arrival.—Ever yours, D. 


140 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Grosvenor Gate: February. 

We have arrived, crossing to the Tower. A good pas¬ 
sage, with Lord Brougham for an agreeable companion; 
but I have been so pressed since our return that I have 
not had a moment to write. I can give you no news; all 
at present uncertain and unsatisfactory; Peel frigid and 
feeble, I think, and general grumbling. . . . 

Our latter days at Paris were very brilliant. The prin¬ 
cipal features, the ball at the English Embassy, a thou¬ 
sand guests, and orange-trees springing from the supper- 
table; my farewell audience with his majesty; a grand 
dinner at Mole’s, I sat between Humboldt and Tocque- 
ville, and was surrounded with celebrities, Mignet, Victor 
Hugo, Cousin, etc. But above all spectacles was the ball 
at Baron Solomon de Rothschild’s; an hotel in decoration 
surpassing the palaces at Munich; a great retinue of ser 
vants, in liveries more gorgeous than the Tuileries, and 
pineapples plentiful as blackberries. I saw Hahnemann at 
Paris, very hale and active, and eighty-eight!—Yours, 

D. 

February 17, 1843. 

I have at last made a great speech* at a late hour, in a 
full House, and sat down amid general cheering. . . . 

Last night also was lively. Baring’s touch at “ the vel¬ 
veteen correspondence” made all sides and sections split. 
Peel, I hear, very savage. Almost every speaker last 
night referred to my speech, among others P, in an elabo¬ 
rate panegyric, which I rejoice to find was not reported. 
Lord Ashburton wished an earldom; they want to job 
him off with a viscounty and the red ribbon, but he kicks. 

1 Motion for papers on Lord Ellenborough’s proclamation regard¬ 
ing the gates of Somnauth. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 141 


Strangford says “ he has had enough of broad red lines.” 
You twig, as Sam Weller says, Franklin’s map. I re¬ 
ceive invitations every day, three for to-morrow, hut hope 
to escape them all. I dine at the House of Commons, 
over a couple of mutton chops and cayenne pepper. D. 


House of Commons: March 21. 

Nottingham Election Committee. 

Our election committee has received a blow to-day, 
which I hope is ominous of its speedy decease. It is very 
hard work, and has sadly deranged my studies for the 
debate on the Boundary Question to-night, which Pal¬ 
merston brings forward in a couple of hours. . . . 

Grosvenor Gate: May 12,1843. 

We were very glad to receive such a good bulletin of 
my father’s eyes as we were stepping into the carriage 
homeward hound yesterday morning. We left Shrews¬ 
bury after breakfast, and arrived at home for dinner. 
For the provinces I think my speech was a great effect. 
Nothing could equal the enthusiasm of my auditors or be 
stronger than my position there. We did not arrive at 
Shrewsbury till ten at night, by which we lost a triumph¬ 
ant entrance, the streets having been filled with the ex¬ 
pectation of our immediate arrival from six to eight 
o’clock; guns on the bridge ready to be fired and frighten 
our horses, and deputations at the column. After the 
dinner we went to the Bachelors’ Ball, which was very 
gay and well attended. Mary Anne, who never looked 
so well, was the grand lady of the evening, and led into 
supper by the mayor. The next day we went to the 
races; saw Retriever win the Tankerville—an excellent 
race—and shook hands with a great many friends. Lord 
10 


142 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Newport 2 was our travelling companion up to town, and 
very agreeable; a shrewd, tall, fair, unaffected, very 
young man. I was at the House last night and received 
many compliments about my speech and Shrewsbury 
campaign. ... I hear Ben Stanley, who never praised 
friend or foe, said the other day that my Boundary 
speech was the crack one of the session. ... D. 


July 17. 

London, that a little while ago seemed so dull that the 
shopkeepers were in despair, is suddenly favored by the 
most animated season, for which exchange they are in¬ 
debted to the King of Hanover, now the most popular 
man in town, for the first time in his life. Grand fetes 
every day and apparently interminable. On Thursday 
the Duchess of Buckingham, after a banquet, held an 
assembly, extremely brilliant and well arranged. The 
band of the Life Guards in the galleries of the grand 
staircase. Every guest welcomed with a martial flourish, 
and the effect was stirring. The Duchess of Gloucester 
and the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg and his intended 
father-in-law were there, as well as his majesty of Han¬ 
over. On Friday Lady Lyndhurst had a reception after 
a royal dinner. We formed a court circle, and the King 
went round. I was presented and received gracious com¬ 
pliments from his majesty; he even shook hands with me, 
the second king who has shaken hands with me in six 
months ! 

Lady Peel has asked us to a grand rout and royal recep¬ 
tion on the 21st, and the following week the St.-Aulaires 
to a ball. A delightful fete at Gunnersbury, Madame de 
Rothschild mire, A beautiful park and a villa worthy of 


2 Now Earl of Bradford. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 143 


an Italian prince. The bright morning unfortunately- 
ended in a dingy afternoon, which threw us much on the 
resources of indoor nature, notwithstanding the military 
bands and beautiful grounds, temples and illuminated 
walks. However, we had a charming concert, a banquet, 
and at the end a ball. All the world present — Ernest I., 
the Cambridges, Duchess of Gloucester, etc. I got well 
waited on by our old friend Amy, who brought me some 
capital turtle, which otherwise I should have missed. I 
suppose in a fortnight the interesting business of Parlia¬ 
ment will have ceased. . . . 


August 7. 

I have been waiting to write with the hope of being 
able to say something definite about our movements, but 
I am cruising for two subjects on which I wish to speak, 
Ireland 3 and Servia. 4 I was in hopes that to-night and 
to-morrow would have disposed of both, but an amend¬ 
ment of Ewart on the committee of supply will, I fear, 
hinder the third reading of the Arms Bill, and to-morrow, 
if Servia, I fear we shall be favored with Mr. Roebuck on 
Scinde. Directly we get rid of these two debates we 
shall be anxious to leave town and come to you. London¬ 
derry’s flare-up has cut the Government in the wind; they 
could not believe it possible. He had threatened to hold 
aloof, but at a certain hour, finding Purvis would possibly 
be returned, he made all his men vote for Bright! 6 Oh, 
for fifty Durhams ! D. 

September, 1843. 

We returned from Deepdene this morning, after a most 
agreeable visit, with beautiful weather. One night I sat 

3 August 9. 4 August 15. 

6 John Bright returned for Durham, July, 1843. 


144 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


next to Mrs. Evelyn of Wotton, a widow; her son, the 
present squire, there also; a young Oxonian and full of 
Young England. We are going to Manchester and Liv¬ 
erpool—a rapid visit which I must make—and after a 
respite of forty-eight hours for business we should like 
to come to Bradenham for as long as you will have us. 
I am writing and want a workroom; therefore, if it does 
not inconvenience anybody, let me have my old writing- 
room next to your room. The journals daily descant on 
the “ new party” that has arisen to give a new color to 
modern politics, etc. I hope my mother has quite recov¬ 
ered, and that you receive good accounts from Ralph in 
Ireland, and that he has enjoyed himself. A thousand 
loves.—Yours, D. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


145 


1844. 

* ‘ Coningsby”—Reviews — Sydney Smith — Manchester—Literary 
meeting—Fatiguing visit to Shrewsbury—Return to Bradenham. 

May, 1844. 

Lord Ponsonby is so enchanted with “ Sidonia,” that 
we are all to dine together at the Lionels’ enpetite comit'e 
on Sunday. There is no particular news except that 
Bradshaw, the last of the school of Brummell, has read a 
book—and it is called “ Coningsby”—twice in one even¬ 
ing. John Manners has told me there is a capital review 
in a Puseyite periodical, published by Burns, “The 
Christian Remembrancer.” A most unexpectedly friend¬ 
ly article in “ Ainsworth.” I have not yet seen “ Hood,” 
where there is an article supposed by Milnes. ... We 
dined with Baring Wall, and had a most exquisite din¬ 
ner, with charming society. I sat next to Sydney Smith, 
who was delightful. We had besides Lady Morley and 
Luttrell, Labouchere and George Smythe, Punch Greville 
and Lord Melbourne. The party sprang from “ Conings¬ 
by,” and from Sydney Smith’s wish to make my acquaint¬ 
ance. The demand for the book is steady, and we are 
preparing for a third edition. It is wonderfully popular 
with the ladies; but even old Britton “the antiquary” 
has written me a letter full of enthusiasm. . . . 

August 30, 1844. 

Manchester has invited me to take the chair at their 
literary meeting, and the Bucks to commemorate the ma¬ 
jority of Chandos. The “ Revue des deux Mondes” con- 


146 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


tains a most elaborate and interesting article on “ Con- 
ingsby.” I shall try and bring down to you also the 
“Westminster.” I have had three fatiguing days of 
triumph at Shrewsbury. People seem frightened about 
war; but though I see six weeks or two months of agita¬ 
tion and fluctuation, I retain my opinion that peace will 
continue, though perhaps at the expense of Monsieur 
Guizot, even of Ministers in other countries. Three 
thousand loves, and great delight at the prospect of our 
speedy union. Dinner at seven tell my mother, with my 
love.—Your affectionate D. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 147 


1845 . 

Visit to meet Her Majesty at Stowe—Dinner at Stationers’ Hall— 
“Vestiges of Natural History”—Spread of Young England— 
Scene in House—“ Sybil Cassel—Description—Paris—Audi¬ 

ence of the King—Conversation with St.-Aulaire—Confusion in 
the Cabinet. 


January 20, 1845. 

You have heard of our sudden expedition to Stowe, 
and its brilliant success; Her Majesty, Peel, Aberdeen, 
and all equally distinguishing us by their courtesy. The 
whole scene sumptuous and a great success for the Duke. 
The Wednesday before I kept my engagement at Sta¬ 
tioners’ Hall, where I sat on the right hand of the mas¬ 
ter, and had to make a speech, which was rather ridicu¬ 
lous, as there were only thirty or forty citizens, grubbing 
like boys, a table of delicacies; but I seemed to please 
them, and all came up to be presented in turn to the 
great man. Most present were of the time of the first 
red sandstone, and before Mercury or Yenus were 
created. 

“ Yestiges of Natural History of Creation,” one small 
volume, is convulsing the world, anonymous, and from 
an unknown publisher; 3000 copies have already been 
sold, and it will soon form an epoch. 


February 6, 1845. 

I write a line very tired; Gladstone’s address was in¬ 
volved and ineffective. 1 He may have an avenir , but I 


1 On liis retirement as President of the Board of Trade. 


148 LORD beaconsfield's correspondence. 

hardly think it. With Stanley and Follett gone, Peel 
will have a weak Treasury bench for debate; but this is 
not the age for non-confidence, and I don’t see much 
trouble before him. The storms rise in Parliament, like 
squalls in the Mediterranean, in a moment. 

Lord Campbell came to me in the lobby to congratu¬ 
late me on the great spread of “ Young England,” and 
asked my opinion of affairs. I said I thought we were in 
the third year of the Walpole administration. He looked 
rather blue. Cochrane is ill with a fever; Milnes still at 
Berlin. John Manners and George Smythe here, and 
very hearty. 

House of Commons: March 21, 1845. 

I much regretted not getting out on Saturday to send 
you a line from myself as to the great scene in the Com¬ 
mons the night before, from which that respectable as¬ 
sembly has not yet recovered. 2 There never was an in¬ 
stance of a trip being succeeded by such a leap; and the 
only thing I have read which can give you an idea of it 
is a sketch by Horace Walpole of a sudden ebullition by 
the elder Pitt in a drowsy House. As for Peel, he was 
stunned and stupefied, lost his head and, vacillating 
between silence and spleen, spoke much and weakly. 
Never was a greater failure ! Assuring me that I had 
not hurt his feelings, that he would never reciprocate 
personalities again, having no venom, etc., etc. 

The bell rings. D. 

May-day, 1845. 

“Sybil” was finished yesterday; I thought it never 
would be; the printers were on my heels, and have been 

* On motion for application of surplus revenue to relief of agri¬ 
cultural interest. 


LORD BEACOHSFIELD’s CORRESPOKDEKCE. 149 


for the last month, hut I don’t think it can be published 
till the middle of the month. I can’t send the rough 
sheets; they would spoil the illusion. I have never been 
through such a four months, and hope never again. 
What with the House of Commons, which was itself 
quite enough for a man, and writing 600 pages, I thought 
sometimes my head must turn. I have never had a day, 
until this, that I have felt, as it were, home for the holi¬ 
days. D. 

Cassel: September 17, 1845. 

We are here without having had the slightest inten¬ 
tion of coming. But hearing that the place had beauty 
and seclusion, we agreed to pitch our tent here, if we 
could find any sort of accommodation. This was diffi¬ 
cult, as it is an extremely savage place; few of the in¬ 
habitants, and none of the humbler classes, talk French. 
There is no library, bookseller’s shop, nor newspaper of 
any sort; they never heard of “Galignani,” and I hardly 
know whether the majority of the people are conscious 
of the three glorious days. It is quite French Flanders; 
their provisions come from Holland; the Hotel de Ville 
was built by the Spaniards, and religion is supreme. The 
country around is rich, and the landscape a vast pano¬ 
rama, and as the place is high, we conclude it is healthy. 
We have taken a house for a month and have hired a 
Flemish cook, who, Mary Anne desires me to tell my 
mother, stews pigeons in the most delicious way: eggs, 
cloves and onions, ending in a red-brown sauce—a dish of 
the time of the Duke of Alva. Fruit and poultry plenti¬ 
ful and cheap. Six fowls for 5 francs; meat, 6d. per lb. 
We crossed from Dover to Boulogne, a very rough pas¬ 
sage. Our first walk at Boulogne we found “Sybil” 
affiched in a large placard, “ Disraeli’s New Novel,” in 


150 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

every window. We travelled from Boulogne en voiturier 
to this place, sleeping the first night at St. Omer. . . . 

Cassel: October 26, 1845. 

The tragedy of Ely Cathedral has shaken me to the 
centre. It is vain to speak of such a catastrophe: impos¬ 
sible not to think of it. Since the death of the Duke of 
Orleans, no sudden end has been more terrible. 3 

I get up at half-past five, and don’t find it difficult, 
going to bed by nine. The effort was great at first, and 
the house very unmanageable. You cannot expect any 
news from us; we know no one and hear nothing, except 
from you. I have been able to write very regularly and 
made better progress than usual, which is encouraging. 
Your life is as secluded as our own, yet you always make 
your letters interesting. We have a pretty garden, which 
gives us mignonette and Alpine strawberries; and the 
autumn here is mellow, fine and mild, though we live on 
the top of a mountain. We look upon a most charming 
landscape, and can see thirty or forty miles ahead, and 
the sea, on a clear day. We now see “ Galignani ” regu¬ 
larly, and an unknown Englishwoman—Miss King, as I 
observe by the direction of her paper—sends me the “ Il¬ 
lustrated Times,” and another unknown, “ Bell’s Life.” 

D. 

Hotel de l’Europe, Paris: December 6, 1845. 

We received your last letter just before leaving Cas¬ 
sel for this place, where we have our old rooms. I have 
been to St. Cloud, and had a most gracious reception 
from the whole Court. There were many visitors and 

3 The architect, Mr. George Basevi, fell through the scaffolding, 
and died instantaneously. 


LORD BEACONBEIELD^S CORRESPONDENCE. 151 

Ministers requiring audiences of the King, hut I was bid 
to stay, and remained two hours. He looks as well as 
ever, though seventy-three, much interested and excited 
about English politics, whether the Government would 
stand, and the Oregon question. The Queen very kind. 
St. Cloud is certainly the most brilliant of the palaces, 
more finished and complete than the Tuileries and Ver¬ 
sailles. At General Baudraud’s, besides Washington Irv¬ 
ing, whom I think vulgar and stupid, I met Lamennais 4 5 ; 
extremely able and interesting, talks admirably, without 
the slightest effort or affectation; indeed, simplicity his 
characteristic; he is not taller than Tom Moore, very del¬ 
icate, and advanced in life, for which I was not pre¬ 
pared. Not so old as Baron de Cetto’s father, whom he 
has just left at his castle near Ratisbon, aged ninety-five, 
and quite hale. The Court has quitted St. Cloud for the 
Tuileries, and this morning I received an invitation to 
dinner. I had a long conversation with St.-Aulaire, who 
seemed to hope that Gladstone might come forward and 
save the country. We are here all in doubt, the impres¬ 
sion being last night that the Whigs cannot come for¬ 
ward. What exciting times ! All agree that though 
Peel 6 may return, he has lost his prestige. Cobden and 
the “ Times” will alone triumph.—Love to all. D. 

4 Catholic abbe, writer and philosopher. 

5 Peel resuming the Government, Gladstone became Colonial 

Secretary, vice Lord Stanley resigned. 


152 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1846 . 


Belvoir. 

Belvoir Castle: August 10, 1846. 

My dearest Sa, 

I thought you would like to have a line from Beauman- 
oir, though it is not in the least like Beaumanoir, but 
Coningsby Castle to the very life; gorgeous, Gothic of a 
quarter of a century past, and slopes and shrubberies like 
Windsor; the general view, however, notwithstanding 
the absence of the Thames, much finer. Granby and my¬ 
self arrived here in a fly on Thursday, and were received 
by two rows of servants, bowing as we passed, which very 
much reminded me of the arrival of Coningsby himself. 

Nothing can be more amiable than the family here, 
agreeable and accomplished besides. George Bentinck 
went off this morning at dawn, the Duke of Richmond 
on Saturday. On that day we rode over to Harlaxton 
Manor, a chateau of Francis I.’s time, now erecting by 
a Mr. Gregory. Yesterday, after the private chapel, we 
lionized the castle, which I prefer to Windsor, as the 
rooms, in proportion to the general edifice, are larger and 
more magnificent. Afterwards to the Belvoir kennel, 
which itself required a day. . . .—Yours, D. 

[There are no more letters in this and the following 
year except those of a strictly private character.—R. D.] 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 153 


1848 . 

Speecn on finance—Anxious times—Mob in possession of Vienna— 

Visit from Guizot—State of Paris alarming—Interview with 

Metternich—Summary of session—Visit to Claremont—Erlestoke 

—Quarter Sessions at Aylesbury—New edition of “ Curiosities.’' 

Carlton: February 18, 1848. 

I made a very successful speech 1 last night; one of my 
best, though not well reported in the “ Times.” After 
the first two columns and a half, it is for nearly a column 
really nonsense—a new hand. In the “ Chronicle” all 
this, however, is accurate enough, and so between them 
the thing may be made out. I never knew a better-sus¬ 
tained debate. Lord George very vigorous and masterly 
—Wilson very good, and Tom Baring a masterpiece. 
On the whole, this is by far the most sustained debate 
which has occurred since the formation of our party, and, 
singular enough, the three speakers who did it all are the 
three members of the party who voted for the Jews ! I 
don’t know what they will do without us !—Yours, 

D. 

March 8, 1848. 

What will happen in these times of unprecedented hor¬ 
rors ! 2 I know not whether I am standing on my head or 
my heels. There is a proclamation against meetings in 
Trafalgar Square, etc. I don’t much fear all this, but I 
can’t but believe that a national bankruptcy in France is 

1 Lord John Russell’s financial scheme as Premier. 

2 French Revolution, flight and abdication of Louis Philippe, 


154 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

inevitable—and what then ? Amid all this confusion, 
there is to be another ecclesiastical 'emeute. On Thurs¬ 
day, I think, the Archbishop of Canterbury is going to be 
tried for heresy again at Bow Church. 3 


March 13. 

McGregor 4 has just made his reply in unintelligible 
patois —all we could make out was that he denied the 
statement in the Glasgow paper, which he said was 
opposed to him, it being well known that it was in his 
service, and the very number which contained the report 
being full of his praises. 

. . . The news from France seems more reassuring. 
Lionel Rothschild has just returned from Paris, and in 
much better spirits. He says the Communists have no 
power whatever, and the only real trouble are the unem¬ 
ployed workmen, but there are remarkable opportunities 
at present to occupy them. . . . 


March 20. 

The mob are in possession of Vienna, and Metternich, 
they say, almost as badly off as Louis Philippe. Guizot 
called on me on Saturday, and I was fortunately at home. 
He is unchanged, and has taken a house in Pelham Ter¬ 
race, Brompton, at 20?. per annum. The last time I saw 
him he was starred, ribboned, and golden fleeced, and 
surrounded by ambassadors and grand personages! 
Affairs are very bad, but in my opinion will be much 
worse. All one can hope for now is to put one’s house 
in order during the temporary lull—if there be one. It 
seems to me impossible for the Rothschilds even to stand 
the storm. They must lose everything everywhere, ex- 

3 On occasion of the confirmation of Bishop Hampden. 

4 In Committee, on the Income Tax. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 155 

cept here. Austria has tumbled to pieces, N aples has lost 
Sicily, and France must be bankrupt, and these are their 
three principal debtors. They will also confiscate the 
Great Northern Railroad of France for certain, the work¬ 
men having announced that they will have one franc a 
day increase of wages, and half the profit of the line. If 
they don’t give up to the workmen the State will seize 
all. . . .—Yours, D. 

May 30. 

Moxon has undertaken to see the “ Curiosities” through 
the press, but if you have any wish on the subject write 
to him. Pray remember to get me all the dates as to 
publications, etc., all details, etc., in case I am ever des¬ 
tined to write the memoir 5 I contemplated. 

The state of Paris is most threatening, and a general 
explosion there is hourly expected. I have seen Metter- 
nich twice at great length. He talks much and is very 
kind. . . . 

Carlton: August 30, 1848. 

I have sent you a “ Times,” in which you will find a 
good report of my summary of the session, which went 
off, as they say, with -great eclat , especially for August 
16. The attendance was quite marvellous, such is the 
virtue of special trains. I have no cause to complain of 
reporters; the version of the “ Times,” which now sells 
40,000 copies a day, is almost verbatim, six first-rate 
shorthand writers having been employed. The “ Chron¬ 
icle” is hardly inferior, though it only sells 4000; the 
“ Herald ” 5000. . . . 

We paid a visit of farewell to the King and Queen at 
Claremont by appointment. We sat with them for one 


5 Of his father, who died February, 1848. 


156 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


hour and a half. I found the King extremely agreeable; 
though softened and depressed, his intellectual power is 
not in the least impaired. In the park we met the Prince 
de Conde, with his nurse, a most graceful and pretty child, 
very lively, though only two years old or so. ... We 
dined at Boyle Farm, and had an agreeable summer drive 
home.—Yours, D. 

December 29, 1848. 

We came from Erlestoke on Wednesday. It’s a very 
fine place, belonging to Watson Taylor, of whom Sir 
John Hobhouse rents it. I never saw a park so full of 
deer, or one in which ground was more picturesquely 
thrown about; the mansion stone and modern, about 
eighty years, a fine stud, a pack of hounds, a first-rate 
cook, and all on the high scale. We caught a glimpse 
of the Yan de Weyers, Bancrofts, and Charles Yilliers. 
There were a good many of the family, and almost all 
agreeable; among them a silent and solitary Miss Fane, a 
niece. . . . 

I go to Aylesbury on the 2d for Quarter Sessions. 
The new edition of the “ Curiosities,” the first stone in 
the monument, will appear directly. It is an expensive 
book, and Moxon looks grave. He likes the “ Memoir,” 
but complains it is too short. I think, however, he is 
wrong. I depend upon its helping the subsequent liv- 
raisons. ... D. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 157 


1849 . 

Leadership of the party—Stanley advised—Speech on landed 
interest—Henry Bulwer’s dinner—Guizot—Congratulations on 
speech—Good divisions—Exciting scene—Good debate—Metter- 
nich—Richmond—Dinners—State banquet at the Guildhall— 
Speech—Sussex dinner—Lola Montes—Business overpowering— 
Ministerial fish dinner—Farewell to Metternich—Reception— 
Hughenden — Work — Dropmore — Burnham Beeches — Castle 
Hedingham—McCulloch’s library—Meeting at Newport Pagnell 
—“Lives of the Lord Chief Justices”—Peel’s letter. 

Coventry House: January 10, 1849. 

It is the great question of the leadership that has kept 
me, though I will say nothing, and wish to keep out of 
the way. The Duke of Newcastle sent a pressing de¬ 
spatch, entreating me to advance, and offering his most 
cordial support. I understand that Lord Granby has 
written to Lord Stanley to the same effect. Since the 
French Presidency we have not had such an election, but 
I think it is just as well that I should be out of the 
way. . . . 


Grosvenor Gate: January 20. 

I am sent for again about the great business, and ar¬ 
rived here this afternoon. I am inclined to think the 
office will be mine, though it is an awful responsibility. 
Bankes and Miles have written to Stanley their opinion 
that I should be the man. There is a meeting to-day in 
town of some of the notables, but I don’t think the ques¬ 
tion can be definitely settled for a week or so. . . . 

11 


158 LOED BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

January 26. 

I am so busy that I can’t write, but the enclosed letter 
will throw light upon circumstances. Since this corre¬ 
spondence, Bankes, Miles, the Duke of Richmond, and 
many others have written to Lord Stanley, urging an ap¬ 
plication to me. I hold back. . The only awkward thing 
now is Stanley’s position, in consequence of his first rash 
letter. Return the documents to me at the Carlton, 
marked “Private.” They say Peel will never get over 
my appointment. . . . 


February 22, 1849. 

Things publicly look very well. After much strug¬ 
gling, I am fairly the leader, and gave notice to-night, 
amid the cheers of the squires, of a grand motion, which 
I hope will rally all the farmers to my standard. On the 
whole, I think the party have behaved extremely well. 
Did you see the “ Standard ” published its manifesto of 
recantation in my regard, which is amusing ? . . . 

March 7, 1849. 

I ought to have acknowledged your affectionate letter, 
but in addition to all my troubles, perhaps in consequence 
of them, I have had for the last fortnight one of my 
worst attacks of low fever, so that till to-day I have never 
had an hour to prepare for the speech 1 of to-morrow, 
from which so much is expected. The country is up in 
arms about my motion. I have received between forty 
and fifty letters every day from every county indeed, ex¬ 
cept Bucks. The meeting of the farmers at Willis’s 
Rooms was remarkable, and my name received, Lord 
Malmesbury told me, with the greatest cheering he ever 
heard. . . « 


1 In favor of the landed interest. 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


159 


March 11. 

We dined the other day at Henry Bulwer’s; Guizot 
was there. He had his red ribbon on, and also his golden 
fleece. He talked of returning to Paris immediately, 
and perhaps intends to he Minister to Louis Napoleon. 
He seems quite insensible to the catastrophe, and referred 
to it frequently with the greatest sang-froid , as if it had 
been a change of Ministry. It was tolerably hold and 
cool to wear the fleece, still more so to go in the evening, 
where we met him again, at the Palmerstons’. Mahon 
and Delane were at the dinner. The latter is of Hig¬ 
gins’s opinion, that we shall be in, in two years or less; 
wants to know the personnel of my Government, as I 
cannot be two Secretaries of State at the same time. 
Whether they were gingered up by the articles in the 
“ Times” or not, I can’t say; but the congratulations we 
received at Lady Palmerston’s far exceeded old days, 

even when I turned out Peel. H--, who is always 

communicative after dinner, told Mary Anne in confi¬ 
dence what Lord John had written to the Queen about 
the speech—great praise as to its power of argument, 
thought, and rhetoric. Palmerston was still warmer, and 
Lord Malmesbury told me that Stanley, “ who never pays 
compliments, you know—that’s not his way,” said it was 
one of the best things that was ever done. For my own 
part, I see many deficiencies and omissions, but they may 
be supplied, if not by my colleagues, by myself in reply. 
^Ever yours, D. 

March 16. 

A splendid division last night, which, following that on 
the Navigation, tells very much. It was nearly half-past 
one o’clock when I spoke 2 last night, having been in my 

2 On taxation of real property. 


160 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

seat since five o’clock watching the debate. Our men 
were really enthusiastic. If we only had half a dozen 
men in the Commons for Cabinet Ministers, and thirty or 
forty more capable of taking the inferior places, one 
might do, but, like India, there is a terrible want of offi¬ 
cers. I must now go down to a heavy evening’s work; 
nevertheless, one can do a good deal when one is winning. 

D. 

House of Commons: March 26. 

Last Friday was most important, but quite burked in 
the “ Times,” probably from being in committee, when 
nothing is expected and little reported, yet there is a cap¬ 
ital report of the affair in the “Morning Post,” which I 
have sent you; the men returning to the House when it 
was breaking up; Gladstone and Labouchere both stand¬ 
ing, while the cheers after I had sat down resounded, etc., 
all very animated. Palmerston said he never remembered 
a more amusing scene; the way I brought the men back, 
as if I said, “ Hullo ! you fellows, come back there,” etc. 

The Whigs will go out if the Lords throw out the Nav¬ 
igation Bill, and I think from present appearances the 
Lords will. I have had several conferences with Stanley 
as to our future and consequent movements, and the Cab¬ 
inet is in embryo ! He says I must be chief Minister in 
the Commons. I confess myself that I think this a little 
bit too strong, and would willingly find a substitute. I 
hope John Manners is safe for South Notts, which will be 
a help to me. . . .—Yours, D. 

April 24, 1849. 

I am well satisfied with the division 3 last night, as we 
virtually held our own, notwithstanding the gigantic 

3 Third reading of the Navigation Bill. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 161 

efforts of the Government during the recess to reduce 
our majority. What annoys me is the arrival just uow 
of a body of blundering Irishmen, Conolly, Verner, 
James Hamilton, Taylor, and Napier, who chose to as¬ 
sume that the division was to-night. This is vexatious. 
The debate was nearly the best I ever heard, except old 
Robinson (when I dined), not an ordinary speaker, and 
admirably sustained by the Protectionists, by Herries, 
Walpole, and Tom Baring. My speech considered very 
good, full of real reply and smashing to Graham, who, 
after a long, very dull and very stupid speech, made a 
venomous attack on Stanley and the future Government. 
But I settled the disciple of “ Progress.” I have not had 
time to read a paper, having been on the Ceylon Com¬ 
mittee this morning, where, through the support of Sir R. 
Peel, I beat the Government. What will the Lords do ? 
According to Bright, swallow it, “ for though they are 
convinced it will destroy the commerce and navy of Eng¬ 
land, they deem such results comparative blessings com¬ 
pared with Stanley being Minister.”—Yours, D. 

May 2, 1849. 

... I have been to see Metternich. He lives on 
Richmond Green, in the most charming house in the 
world, called the Old Palace—long library, gardens, 
everything worthy of him. I met there the Duchess of 
Cambridge and the Colloredos. I am enchanted with 
Richmond Green, which, strange to say, I don’t recollect 
ever having visited before, often as I have been to Rich¬ 
mond. I should like to let my house and live there. It 
seems exactly the place for you, and I strongly recom¬ 
mend you to think seriously of it. It is still and sweet, 
charming alike in summer and winter. . . . 


162 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

Huglienden: May 28. 

I came down here very indifferent, having dined out 
the three preceding days running: Tuesday at the Jol¬ 
lifies’; Wednesday, Lady Braye; Thursday at Lord 
Brougham’s. All the parties should have been agree¬ 
able, as there were wits and beauties at each; hut, not¬ 
withstanding the Maidstones, the Bishop of Oxford, and 
John Manners at the Jollifies’, Howden and Rogers at 
Lady Braye’s, Brougham’s was the only amusing party, 
and it was very agreeable. The Douros, who were there, 
however, scarcely contributed to it, but our host is a 
host in himself. His women, Lady Malet and Mrs. 
Spalding, both lively; young Stanley, 4 very interesting; 
and a young Wellesley, a son of Mornington, but as un¬ 
like his father as imaginable, for he was most interest¬ 
ing, thoughtful, highly cultivated, and seemed to me a 
genius. He had sent me a French book which he had 
written, and which, remembering his father’s boring bro¬ 
chure , I had never acknowledged, and I felt a pang. 

It is settled that there is to be no coalition between 
the Peelites and the Whigs, and therefore I conclude 
that after a decent interval the old Conservative party 
will be reconstructed under Stanley, and of course with¬ 
out Peel. If the distress continues after the next har¬ 
vest, Graham & Co. must give up progress, and swallow 
a little moderate reaction; if it abide, we cannot pretend 
to disturb un fait accompli. I think, therefore, that 
this time next year all may be well, if one can stand the 
storm till then. . . . 


June 22, 1849. 

I have been so pressed with affairs, and have been, 
though much better, so poorly, that I have been unable 

4 Present Earl of Derby. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD^S CORRESPONDENCE. 163 

to write you a line. To-morrow we have to go in state 
to dine with the Lord Mayor, who gives a banquet to 
our party. Lord Stanley is to return thanks for the 
House of Lords and I for the House of Commons. Henry 
Bentinck refused, never going to Court and those sort of 
things, and not understanding the nature of the meeting; 
but when Trollope told him that he was to see me make 
a speech in the Egyptian Hall in a red coat, as leader 
of the party in the House of Commons, he begged leave 
to recall his refusal, and is going to appear in a court 
dress, which I believe belonged to the old Duke of Bul- 
strode. 5 . . . 

July 8, 1849. 

. . . My speech 6 last night was at 2.30, and conse¬ 
quently not a semblance of a report in the journals, but 
my friends in the lobby during the division were very 
enthusiastic, and said it made up for the numbers. Our 
division was not so good as it should have been. It came 
on at four-and-twenty hours’ notice, after a public decla¬ 
ration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday 
(in the absence of Lord John) that it was positively im¬ 
possible for the Government to give another day; so, as 
Hume was obstinate, our friends went out of town. The 
debate very well sustained; Peel elaborate in his courte¬ 
sies to me, and talked of the “ respect due to my abilities 
and station” which my fellows cheered immensely. . . . 
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, notwithstanding the 
red tape, was much pleased with my reply. Nothing 
annoys him so much as Peel lecturing the House on 
political economy, as the very arguments he now uses 
are those which Lord Grey and Charles Wood used to 

6 Bulstrode Park, Bucks, formerly the property of the Duke of 
Portland, now of the Duke of Somerset. 

6 On state of the nation. 


164 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

receive his undisguised contumely for ten years ago, 
amid the cheers of the House. 

John Manners is a little awkward about the Roths¬ 
childs, as he had dined with them on the preceding 
Wednesday, and their salt sticks in his throat; but I con¬ 
soled him by the suggestion that Lionel’s majority would 
induce him to take a Christian view of Johnny’s conduct. 
Miss Copley (Sa) is going to be married to a Mr. Selwyn, 
whom they have only known for a fortnight, eldest son of 
a young Essex squire. ... I give it to you as told me 
at the Coventry, thinking it would interest you. . . . 

July, 1849. 

I dined with Sir Charles Burrell the other day, with 
the county of Sussex, in the shape of the Duke of Rich¬ 
mond, Lord March, etc. Sir John Buller represented 
Devon and I Bucks, and there was Herries. The best 
guests, however, were turtle, whitebait, venison, and 
burgundy. Our host very courteous and courtly. 

Lola Montes’ marriage makes a sensation. I believe he’ 
has only 3000?. per annum, not 13,000?. It was an affair 
of a few days. She sent to ask the refusal of his dog, 
which she understood was for sale. Of course it wasn’t, 
being very beautiful, but he sent it as a present; she re¬ 
joined, he called, and they were married in a week. He 
is only twenty-one, and wished to be distinguished. 
Their dinner invitations are already out, I am told. She 
quite convinced him previously that she was not Mrs. 
James, and as for the King of Bavaria (who, by the bye, 
allows her 1500?. a year, and to whom she really writes 
every day), that was only a malheureuse passion. ... I 
am very tired, having been working five hours on the 
Ceylon Committee, which is very interesting. . . . D. 

1 Lieutenant Heald, of the 2d Life Guards. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 165 

August 1, 1849. 

I suppose in a few days we shall go to Hughenden, 
though, when I remember the business which must be 
done, I don’t very clearly see how. Parliament was pro¬ 
rogued to-day, by commission. I was not there, having 
done and seen enough. As far as I am personally con¬ 
cerned, the session has been a satisfactory one ; and a 
great deal may be done next September, if I am alive, as 
I shall have time to prepare some measures, and shall lead 
a party who, I believe, as far as I am concerned, are by 
no means dissatisfied with their leader. 

Last Saturday we dined with Sir Montague and Lady 
Georgina C. Our host the most amusing present; the 
child of nature and of course called mad—extremely ab¬ 
sent. He was not present when we arrived, though we 
were late. Then he came in, quite dark, trod on every¬ 
body’s toes, guessing people by their voices, and seeming 
quite surprised they were there. Dinner announced, he 
rushed out of the room with Lady Antrim, the wrong 
woman, and put himself at the head of the table, instead 
of the bottom, and then laughed immensely when he found 
it out, but kept there. The imperturbable Lady Georgina, 
handsome as a sphinx, bearing it all unruffled, and taking 
her place at the end. . . . 

Saturday was the fish dinner; a steamboat hired and 
ready to start at five o’clock to take down the Ministers, 
but the Ceylon debate, etc., kept them in the Commons 
to past seven. All this time the Lord President and his 
colleagues walking up and down for two hours, in an ob¬ 
scure river street out of the Strand, wondering why their 
colleagues and co-mates did not come. However, they 
all showed at Lady Palmerston’s, though some in frock- 
coats. ... We went rather unexpectedly to a somewhat 
curious soiree, Mrs. Dyce Sombre at the Clarendon, living 


166 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

there with her father. The company small but recherch'e , 
and she singing ballads between the Duke of Wellington 
and Rogers. . . . 

August 11,1849. 

. . . Last Sunday we paid our farewell visit to the 
Metternichs, to whom I had behaved shamefully. We 
found the Princess in her saloon with the Russian Minis¬ 
ter (Brunow), no longer under the trees with her birds, 
working still at making lint for the Austrian soldiers. 
We had not been there five minutes when the Duchess of 
Cambridge and the Grand Duchess were announced; we 
were not permitted to go away. Metternich then ap¬ 
peared. I had not seen him since his illness, a swoon they 
say only ; he is altered and much thinner, but the mind 
the same. He was most kind, and after kissing the Duch¬ 
ess’s hand took me aside for a moment, and then begged 
me to join the circle. Nothing could exceed the gracious¬ 
ness of the Cambridges. I sat next the Grand Duchess 
(Mecklenburg), who, like her mother, is a woman of 
great intelligence and culture; a charming countenance, 
and much improved in figure since her marriage. Then 
came Kielmansegge , 8 the conversation for half an hour 
most animated and interesting, very political; their Roy¬ 
al Highnesses making lint all the time. The Red Repub¬ 
lican Canino, Bunsen especially much abused, and of 
course Palmerston. In the midst of all this the groom of 
the chambers announced Lord and Lady Palmerston ! 
In the stir we rose and met the Palmerstons in the ante¬ 
chamber, exchanged smiles, “ hunting in the same cover.” 
Getting into the carriage we stumbled over a still newer 
arrival, Baroness Delmar. So you see the levees of the 
Metternichs are no ordinary reunions . ... D. 


Hanoverian Minister. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 167 
Huglienden: August 25, 1849. 

I have been enjoying this fine weather and beautiful 
scene very much, but sick at heart at the mass of papers 
and arrears of correspondence on my table ; put off till I 
was in the country, and now again postponed till the 
summer is over. The consecration of Prestwood Church 
will not be just yet, for there are difficulties about the 
presentation, etc. I think I shall write to Soapy Sam, 
and ask him to come to Hughenden. It is but decent, 
particularly as we are a sort of allies. The alterations 
here seem very successful. It is quite another place, and 
of far more pretension and effect. It is really a park now. 
The library also is arranged ; it took me several days, 
and I think you will like it. It has quite lost the circu¬ 
lating-library look which you noticed. Did I tell you 
Sir W. Molesworth had presented me with a copy of his 
“ Hobbes,” eighteen vols. ? This is an accession, and I 
got it through that impudent friend of mine, Bernal Os¬ 
borne, which makes it more amusing. . . . 

I have never been out of the place till yesterday, when, 
after justiceising, I went to Dropmore to see the flowers; 
but it is no model, being rather a museum of flowers than 
a garden. I could not resist stealing on two short miles 
to Burnham Beeches, which I had not seen so many years, 
and saw again under such different circumstances, being 
their representative . 9 They did not disappoint me, which 
is saying much. D. 

Hughenden: October 18, 1849. 

We are still here, and I shall go to Quarter Sessions on 
Monday, as county business now commences the first day. 

. . I think the Essex move 10 is successful; it must, 

9 Elected M.P. for Bucks, July, 1847. 

10 Great banquet in ruined keep of Hedingham Castle. 


168 LORD ffEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 

however, be followed up without loss of time by a great 
move in Bucks, and all this is very harassing. I was 
much pleased with your old friend Ashurst Majendie, my 
host of Castle Hedingham. The place very good, a real 
manorial residence and squire’s seat, very pretty; the 
country green and undulating, and well clad; the castle 
ruin superb and imposing. The modern house of the 
time of George I., I suppose, with portraits of th efunda- 
tor, a Lord Mayor of that age, one Ashurst and his wife, 
and all very good. . . . The Surrey election was a coup 
for me; I should have been vexed if Evelyn had been de¬ 
feated, particularly after Barclay’s speech. 

I called on McCulloch, the great political economist, 
the other day, at his official residence in Westminster. It 
is impossible to convey to you an idea of the beauty of 
his library; I never saw books in such condition, or such 
exquisite bindings, surpassing all my experience or con¬ 
ception. He said that, like Adam Smith, he was “ a bear 
with his books;” an amiable and very sensible man. 

Metternich wrote me a beautiful and affecting farewell 
letter. I received it in time to embrace him, exactly half 
an hour before he left England: “ Ce bon et beau pays,” 
as he calls it. . . . 

Huglienden: November 4, 1849. 

We dined at Hampden to meet the Bishop the day 
before the consecration , 11 and on the day of the consecra¬ 
tion there was a general dinner to the black coats, all 
clergymen I believe, except Philip Rose. I like “ Lochiel ” 
very well indeed. The Bishop is always good company. 

I was not at all pleased myself with the Aylesbury meet¬ 
ing, though on the whole the world has not taken so ill a 
view of it. I thought it was a shabby concern. It has, I 


11 Prestwood Church. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 


169 


think, however, been productive of some little good, 
though for my part I give up the attempt of rousing the 
agricultural interest to any decided demonstration. They 
are puzzled and sluggish perhaps; when they are a little 
more pinched they may stir themselves. . . . After the 
Cork triumph it will be almost impossible to hold the 
Protectionists in; the pear is not yet ripe, and it will be 
a pity to spoil the flavor of such fine fruit by greedy 
picking. . . . 

December 11, 1849. 

I am not in a writing humor, but nevertheless send you 
a line. The meeting at Newport Pagnell was more than 
good, both in quantity and quality. It surprised every¬ 
one by its numbers; nearly 300 and a great acreage. I 
spoke to my satisfaction, and I think, from all I hear and 
read, have quite managed the malcontents. Chester came 
from Malvern purposely to take the chair. We had young 
Praed there, too; Knapp, who was my host at Little Lin¬ 
ford; Farrer of Brafie'ld, called the Imperial Farrer; and 
many real yeomen, the chief of whom is William Levi of 
Woughton House, who farms his own lands and follows 
the hounds. 

Lord Campbell sent me his new work, “ Lives of the 
Lord Chief Justices,” with a very pretty letter. I read 
the life of Lord Mansfield the other night, and was much 
pleased. . . . I don’t believe there is the slightest founda¬ 
tion for the rumors that there has been any discussion in 
the Cabinet as to a duty on corn. On the contrary, the 
Whigs are in high spirits with their thriving foreign 
trade and Consols rising 100. . . . Nevertheless we get all 
the elections. . . .—Adieu, D. 


170 LORD BEACOITSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

December 29, 1849. 

I have no news to tell you, but will send you, neverthe¬ 
less, the compliments of the season ! I think your move 
was very judicious, for whether my feelings are peculiarly 
gloomy and uncomfortable, or not, I certainly find this a 
most severe and unamiable Christmas. Give my best re¬ 
gards to your companions. I wish I were with them. . . . 

Peel’s letter is at once pompous and trite. He succeeds 
in conveying an impression that his estate is in a very 
bad condition; recommends drainage as if it were a uni¬ 
versal specific, though in truth a very partial one; and 
although he says nothing which might not have been said 
if the Corn Laws had not been repealed, somehow man¬ 
ages to write as if he were conscious he had got his friends 
into a hopeless scrape. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD'S CORRESPONDENCE. 171 


1850. 

Aylesbury meeting— Belvoir — Large party — Burghley — State 
rooms—Siberian scene—Political situation—Defeat of Ministers 
—Turkish Embassy—Danish Embassy—Thackeray—The cold— 
Lyndhurst—Academy dinner—American Minister—Peabody— 
Professor Aytoun—“ Sin and Sorrow”—Knebworth—Hudson— 
“Bentinck Papers”—Writing—Beauty of Hughenden Woods— 
John Russell’s scrape—Stanley ill—Conference delayed. 

Hughenden: January 1, 1850. 

I have just returned from a great meet at Aylesbury. 
We all dined at the White Hart, even Chandos, between 
whom and Yerney I sat. I like Y. very much. Malmes¬ 
bury has asked me to Heron Court, but I have refused. 
. . . Read the last article in the new “ Blackwood.” I 
think it has knocked up Scotch high farming, the last im- 
joosition. John Manners prepared me for this some time 
ago, and I mentioned it at the Aylesbury meeting in 
October. . . . 


Belvoir Castle: January 21, 1850. 

I leave this for Burghley to-day. Belvoir presents a 
very different scene to the limited summer circle which I 
found here three years ago with poor Lord George. We 
live in the state rooms, brilliantly illuminated at night, 
and at all times deliciously warm, even in this severe win¬ 
ter. A military band plays while we are at dinner, and 
occasionally throughout the evening. Dinner is an¬ 
nounced to the air of the “ Roast Beef of Old England.” 
The party here is very large, but chiefly the family, a 
Christmas gathering. The Drummonds, Lord Forester, 


172 lord beaconseield’s correspondence. 

Lord Charles, the Lumleys, etc.; in addition ourselveSj 
Lord and Lady William Poulett, the Count and Countess 
Rossi (Sontag), the latter most agreeable and amiable, 
singing a great deal. Almost all the gentlemen being 
members of the famous Bel voir hunt, of which Lord For¬ 
ester is master, wear scarlet coats in the evening, which 
adds greatly to the gayety and brilliancy of the scene. 
The frost has stopped the hunting for many weeks; but 
there are shooting-parties every day, and advanced as the 
Duke is, he is never away from them. I never met a man 
at his time of life so cheerful and, indeed, so vivacious. 
We had an agreeable companion in the train down—Jem 
Macdonald, going to Lord Wilton’s at Melton. . . . 

Burghley House: January 24, 1850. 

The exterior of Burghley is faultless, so vast and so 
fantastic, and in such fine condition that the masonry 
seems but of yesterday. In the midst of a vast park, 
ancient timber in profusion, gigantic oaks of the days of 
the Lord Treasurer, and an extensive lake. The plate 
marvellous. The history of England in the golden pres¬ 
ents from every sovereign, from Elizabeth and James I. 
to Victoria and Albert—shields, vases, tankards, etc. 
Our host shy, but very courteous; Lady Exeter tall, still 
handsome, engaging, and very pious. Great battues 
every day; five hundred head slaughtered as a matter of 
course. The interior not equal to Belvoir; the state 
rooms, lofty and painted by sprawling Verrio, open one 
into each other by small side-doors, like a French palace 
or Hampton Court, and so a want of consecutive effect. 
There is, however, a hall as large as a college hall, and 
otherwise very striking. But the family live in a suite 
of rooms fit only for a squire of degree, and yet the most 
comfortable in the world. . . . 


LORD BEACONSEIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 173 
Hughenden: March 31, 1850. 

I arrived here late on Tuesday, a trying journey, but 
on the whole I bore it much better than I could have ex¬ 
pected. It was a morning of some promise; but a snow¬ 
storm at Gerrard’s Cross, where we stopped two hours, 
and a Siberian scene when we arrived. The weather has 
been very ungenial ever since, and constant east winds, 
which I cannot face; my progress has therefore been 
rather slow. 

Never was the political position more complicated, 
difficult, and urgent. I hope, but dare not determine, to 
be in my place on the 8th. If I cannot lead the party 
after the holidays I had better retire altogether. There 
will be a fierce and eventful session. The Whigs could 
be turned out in a week if we were ready. I don’t think 
my absence as yet has been productive of any serious 
harm, the great before Easter result having been ob¬ 
tained. 

The Londonderrys have gone to Paris. French affairs 
are very critical. There are no elements of government 
in the country. D. 

Hughenden: April 5, 1850. 

I go to town to-morrow to catch a council with Stan¬ 
ley, flitting between Whittlebury and Goodwood. The 
political position is interesting, and I should not be sur¬ 
prised if our troops are brought into line immediately. 
They will be so if my plans are adopted; but there are 
so many people to consult and to persuade, that it is like 
commanding an army in Italy under the Aulic Council at 
Vienna. However, I have not much cause to complain, 
as they are sufficiently docile; but there are moments 
which require rapidity of decision and execution. I am 
sorry I could not stay here a few days more; this north- 
12 


174 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 


west breeze renovates me wonderfully, and I am quite 
myself again. D. 

House of Commons: April 18, 1850. 

The great victory of Monday 1 quite redeemed the Fri¬ 
day check. 2 I hardly know what the Government will 
do—anything but go out. The Radicals so frightened 
at what they have almost unwittingly done, that Tuesday 
night, the moment I announced my intention to support 
the repeal of the excise on paper, they fled the House in 
confusion, or voted with the Government. By these 
means the division was not good; but their tactics have 
had this among other effects: destroyed the Radicals’ mo¬ 
nopoly of liberal propositions, which they will take care 
no longer to make now there is a chance of their being 
carried. 

Yesterday we dined at the Turkish Ambassador’s; the 
best dinner and the best served, and, rather strange to 
say, the wines were really delicious. The guests very mis¬ 
cellaneous; but the Ambassador himself, the most favor¬ 
able specimen of the Turk, extremely good-looking, high¬ 
bred, and gracious. 

The Royal Academy have asked me to their annual 
banquet in May. One gets into a great many good 
things (at least what people think good things) by being 
leader of the Opposition; which, according to Sir Charles 
Wood,if you are not a Minister, is “the next best thing.” 
. . .—Yours, D. 

House of Commons: April 26,1850. 

I have little to say, my life being passed in this House, 
of which you are furnished daily in the journals. The 

1 Defeat of Ministers on Stamp Act. 

2 Committee of inquiry into diplomatic salaries, etc. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 175 


Government have saved themselves from a crushing de¬ 
feat to-night, on the Stamp Act, by an ignominious sur¬ 
render at discretion yesterday: but they have troubles 
enough before them. . . . 

We dined at the “Danes” on Tuesday. I sat next to 
the French Ambassadress, a rather pretty and a very 
agreeable and clever person. Sir Wynn, our envoy at 
Copenhagen; Sir Ralph and Lady Howard, Hope, the 
Mathisons, etc., were the rest, and an agreeable party. 
In the evening, being out, I went in for five minutes to 
Lady Yarde Buller’s, being the wife of our greatest 
squire. M. A. dined yesterday, but I did not, at a ban¬ 
quet at the Antony Rothschild’s, given in honor of the 
impending fate of a brother-in-law, Montefiore, and a 
daughter of Baron de Goldsmid. The Hebrew aristoc¬ 
racy assembled in great force and numbers, mitigated by 
the Dowager of Morley, Charles Yilliers, Abel Smiths, 
and Thackeray ! I think he will sketch them in the last 
number of “ Pendennis.” . . . 

House of Commons: May 3, 1850. 

The visit to the Jollifies was very agreeable, notwith¬ 
standing a north-east wind that really cut me in two. 
The country not as beautiful as Albury or the Deepdene, 
but Sir William is compensated for that by the superior 
soil. A beautiful home, and a still more beautiful family, 
of all ages from twenty to three, and all equally good- 
looking. A pleasant circle, and had the weather been 
propitious, it would have been a renovating visit; but 
notwithstanding a blazing sun, I was obliged to keep in 
the conservatory, only venturing out in my bearskin coat. 
I hardly know what has happened since, I have been so 
busy; but I think only politics. Yesterday the Govern¬ 
ment received another apoplectic stroke; they are drift- 


176 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

ing, but I suppose, and perhaps hope, they may escape 
the breakers this year. I sat an hour with Lord Lynd- 
hurst to-day; in good spirits after a year of darkness, but 
when the weather is warmer, it is hoped the operation 
will tell. . . . 


Ceylon Committee Room: May 13, 1850. 

I am so much occupied, that I must try and send you 
a line in the midst of the hubbub of this never-ending 
committee. The Academy dinner was very agreeable, 
though they took me out of the wits, among whom I sat 
last year, and which were represented this by Rogers, 
Hallam, Milman, Thackeray, Lockhart, and placed me 
among the statesmen. I sat within two of Peel, and be¬ 
tween Gladstone and Sidney Herbert. A leader of Op¬ 
position, who has no rank, is so rare, if not unprecedented 
an animal, that the R.A.’s were puzzled how to place me; 
and though they seem to have made somewhat of a blun¬ 
der, it went off very well, Gladstone being particularly 
agreeable. Afterwards to the first assembly of Mrs. Ab¬ 
bott Lawrence, the wife of the American Minister; he is 
a very good specimen of the Hew World—opulent, good- 
looking, cordial, and well-bred—a high Protectionist. I 
had heard much of him from John Manners, as he stayed 
a week at Belvoir, and they were all much pleased with 
him. There were a good many Americans, among them 
the Peabody family—great people. As Mrs. Lawrence 
says, “the Peabodys are the Howards of America.” The 
chief Peabody was presented to me, and he remarked of 
the Duke of Wellington, who was near, “The two hemi¬ 
spheres can’t show a man like that, sir.” 

I received Professor Aytoun to breakfast on Saturday, 
for he had called on me several times, and written often, 
and as I could not ask him to dinner, it was the only 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 177 

thing left. I got John Manners and young Stanley, Boo 
Lennox, Mandeville, and Lord Naas to meet him. It is 
the fashion now to f6te him, in gratitude for the Protec¬ 
tion articles in “ Blackwood,” of which he is the author. 

Lady Blandford, next whom I sat the other day at din¬ 
ner, told me she had heard that “ Sin and Sorrow” was 
the joint production of George Smythe and Lady Sligo. 
I think if I saw it I should find him out. I suppose he 
supplied the sin and his sister the rest. . . . 

Carlton: August 8, 1850. 

... I cannot tell you how delighted I am with your 
residence. We returned by Richmond, which I find is 
much the nearest way; in fact your villa is in the heart 
of the greenland, which I have so long admired, and 
wished to dwell in. I think you will be very happy 
there, and I shall probably end my days as your neighbor. 

I forgot to tell you that I had an invitation from Lyt- 
ton to Knebworth, and mean to go. He is a Protection¬ 
ist and I believe is to be returned for Lincoln under the 
patronage of Sibthorp. 

Hudson 3 goes about saying he has recovered his charac¬ 
ter (by some trial at York, which he lost) and that he 
means to resume his position; though plundered by the 
committee of investigation, he has been supported by his 
conscience, and has sent to Lord Londesborough to offer 
him 10,000£. to buy back the estate. . . . 

September 10, 1850. 

... I shall be glad to get to Hughenden to-morrow, 
having before me enormous labor, which nothing but 
solitude, study, and abstinence can beat down, if indeed 


The Railway King. 


178 lord beaconsfield’s correspondence. 


they can. . . . Two immense chests of George Bentinck’s 
papers from the Duke of Portland—materials for a me¬ 
moir, long contemplated. . . . 

Bulwer asked very much after you when we were at 
Knebworth, and particularly approves of Richmond as a 
retreat, “ No place like it.” He is a real Baron, though 
he will, I think, be the first, not the last, of his race. . . . 

When you are quite settled, and have subscribed to 
the London Library, get Menzel’s “History of German 
Literature,” not his “ History of Germany”—a very dif¬ 
ferent book. The former will suit you, and I strongly 
recommend it, though not very new. . . . 

Huglienden: October 28, 1850. 

It is a long time since I wrote to you, but my life here 
is uneventful. I am getting on pretty well with my 
work, though tired of this life of everlasting labor. 
This is a beautiful autumn, and the tints are very fine 
and various, though the russet beech predominates. 
These colors, however, are no compensation for the loss 
of long days. I get up at seven, but they are fearfully 
short, and I cannot, as you know, work at night. . . . 

Lady Londonderry writes to me that Urisk is dead, for 
thirteen years her fond and faithful companion. He was 
blind and deaf, but seemed always to see and hear her. 
I told her that I had named your dog Urisk, and that 
Urisk therefore for me still lived. ... I had a letter 
from young Stanley at Paris, and he was going to Ma¬ 
drid. He had seen the President, who received him very 
kindly, having been a brother special constable with him 
on the famous 10th of April, when they traversed the 
Haymarket together for a couple of hours. . . . 


LORD BEACONSEIELD'S CORRESPONDENCE. 179 


November 15, 1850. 

... I think John Russell is in a scrape. I understand 
his party are furious with him; as great a blunder as the 
Edinburgh letter. 4 The Irish are frantic. I think he 
wants to hark back, and the silence of the “ Times,” after 
all its agitation, is very suspicious. If he goes on with 
the Protestant movement, he will be thrown over by the 
Papists; if he shuffles with the Protestants, their blood is 
too high to be silent now, and they will come to us. I 
think Johnny is checkmated. The Dean of St. Paul’s 
told my informant that he had seen the letter Lord John 
wrote to the Bishop of London a week before his letter 
to the Bishop of Durham, and it was quite on a contrary 
tack. . . . 


Hughenden: November 16, 1850. 

What did you think of my letter ? I had no idea of 
Lord John’s riding the high Protestant horse, and making 
the poor devils of Puseyites the scapegoats, when he, 
after all, is the greater culprit. Unfortunately, by a sin¬ 
gular chance, I did not read his letter till Friday after¬ 
noon, and I felt that unless the check were in Saturday’s 
papers, and were delayed till Monday, the effect would be 
very injurious. I therefore had only half an hour before 
I had to send my messenger off to town. I now feel how 
much more I might have done had I had time, but the 
opportune is sometimes preferable to the excellent, and 
the letters I have received this morning make me believe 
that it has told. . . . 


Hughenden: December 22, 1850. 

. . Stanley has never yet been able to have his bed 
made, so severe has been the attack, and so severe it con- 

4 The famous No-Popery letter. 


180 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 


tinues. I have heard from Inglis, who no longer believes 
that John Russell is ready to go to the block for the 
Protestant faith. My own opinion is that the Cabinet 
have dispersed without settling anything, though I as¬ 
sume that at all events they will now meet Parliament. 
If after the holidays they agree to some limited and par¬ 
tial measure, I think it must end in their utter confusion. 
They had better do nothing, in which the House would 
probably support them, though not very strongly. Glad¬ 
stone at Naples remains, and will not he at the meeting of 
Parliament I hear. He avoids the storm. . . . 

The illness of Stanley arrests all arrangements for our 
pre-parliamentary meeting, hut if he gets better, it will 
he, I should think, at Burghley. ... I am in time to wish 
you a “ Merrie Christmas,” unless, as John Manners adds, 
“ that he too Popish.”—Adieu. D. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 181 


1851 . 


Quarter Sessions—Arrears of correspondence—Young Stanley’s 
visit to Hughenden—Walks—Efforts to form a Conservative 
Government—Croker—Anxiety—Mr. Betliell—Speech—Rally of 
party too late—Close of campaign—Secessions—Gayety of early 
season—Monsieur Soyer — Literary market—The Oaks—Jules 
Janin—Whiteside—Aylesbury speech—Bad report—Bucks Agri¬ 
cultural Association—Visit to Exhibition—Count Reventlow’s 
death—Agricultural problems — Bishop of Oxford’s visit— 
Granby’s visit—Farming questions—George Bentinck’s life— 
Hatfield—Duke of Portland—Palmerston turned out of the Min¬ 
istry. 

January 1, 1851. 

I went on Monday to Quarter Sessions. A great 
meeting, all the magnates there; the Lord-Lieutenant, 
three county M.P.’s—Chandos, Yerney, and Calvert. 
The dinner very crowded, even the Carringtons remained 
to do honor to Sir Thomas Aubrey, who resigns the 
chair. ... I find on my table letters from Lyndhurst, 
Hardwicke, Granby, Henry Bulwer, John Manners, and 
Lord March, and all, even L.’s, of great length, and some 
pamphlets; so you see I have enough to do, but cannot 
reply to-day. Our Parliamentary plans remain all un¬ 
settled, in consequence of Stanley’s state. Belvoir, 
Burghley, and Wimpole are contending for the honor of 
being the seat of the Congress. ... I wish you a very 
happy new year.—Yours affectionate, D. 

Hughenden: January 18, 1851. 

I find myself very incapable of exertion in this weath¬ 
er, and particularly so of writing letters, which I daily 


182 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 

and weekly postpone, till the arrear frightens me. My 
public correspondence becomes a great tax, as the paper 
in the country is always damp, ink thick, and pens con¬ 
sequently incompetent. I expect young Stanley to-mor¬ 
row, and on the 24th we go to Burghley. Lord Stanley 
wrote me his first letter, proposing to come up to town 
the 17th to consult; but as the Burghley arrangement 
had been made, I thought it too great an effort for him 
to come 500 miles, so I suggested waiving it. I have not 
the slightest idea what will happen. 

The new edition of the “ Curiosities” seems to swim. 
My father’s memory has been kept alive and done justice 
ij, which was the great, indeed sole object. “Bell’s 
Messenger” says in the review: “ He is still more admired 
now that he is dead.” . . . 


Grosvenor Gate: January 22. 

I have been obliged to come up suddenly for some pub¬ 
lic business. . . . Young Stanley’s visit to Hughenden, 
though hurried, was very agreeable. He seemed charmed 
with the hill-country, after Lancashire, and with every¬ 
thing else. Having no horses, we took long walks to¬ 
gether—one day to Hampden, which pleased him much ; 
another to the Abbey, no one there, so we rambled all 
over the park; the view of Hughenden from the heights 
is quite marvellous. I had never seen it before, and this 
must be the view which Stafford was full of in the House 
of Commons last year, when he returned from staying at 
the Abbey. We walked to Denner Hill and its sylvan 
neighborhood, and on Sunday, after church, we walked 
on the hills in view of Dashwood’s Park, till we got to 
West Wycombe Church. There is a regular journal for 
you ! The political horizon seems fair, and I never knew 
a session about to commence with better prospects. . . . 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’s CORRESPONDENCE. 183 

February 26, 1851. 

The crisis 1 2 goes on, hut seems very much in our favor. 
. . . The Speaker is reading the “ Commentaries” with 
great delight, thinks them quite prophetic, and the chap¬ 
ter on the Genius of the Papacy one of the finest things 
he knows. Croker met me, and nearly embraced me. I 
hardly recognized him. He said : “ The speech 3 was the 
speech of a statesman, and the reply was the reply of a 
wit.” How very singular !—Adieu. D. 

March 22, 1851. 

I can say nothing of public affairs, which are involved 
in impenetrable clouds, but which cost me great trouble, 
and harass, and anxiety. The debate 3 will close on Mon¬ 
day, at least I shall speak on that day, and follow, if I 
can, Gladstone. . . . John Manners is going to be mar¬ 
ried to Miss Marley, a granddaughter of my old friend 
Lady Charleville, a very pretty girl. ... I was officially 
informed by a letter last night, for, though we have dined 
together every day, and sat together in the House every 
night, he could not screw up courage enough for the an¬ 
nouncement. ... 


Carlton: April 5, 1851. 

I write you a line, though correspondence is very dis¬ 
tasteful to me. Ferrand stands for Aylesbury, and is at 
Hampden; Cameron, fortunately, being an intimate friend 
of his. I hope and believe he will win. His opponent is 
Mr. Beth ell, 4 of the Chancery Bar, gone down as the 

1 Lord Stanley endeavoring to form a Government on Lord John 
Russell’s resignation, but without success. 

2 Inquiry for relief of agricultural distress. 

3 On second reading of Papal Bill. 

4 Subsequently Lord Westbury and Lord Chancellor. 


184 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


Whig candidate, although still a member of the Carlton 
Club, of which he will be duly reminded. Yesterday I 
spoke well in the House, and intend, in the course of the 
week, to make another great rally of the party; but I 
fear it is too late. I hope you are well.—Adieu. 

Sunday: April 13, 1851. 

I rose so late on Saturday, not having got to bed the 
previous night till past four o’clock, that I could not write 
you a line, and give you tidings of the division, 6 which 
has very much inspirited our friends ; though the truth 
is, it now turns out that we ought to have won, or at 
least reduced the majority to an almost infinitesimal 
quantity. However, our blood is up again, though I fear 
we shall never regain the occasion so sadly lost. In Feb¬ 
ruary the Whigs were prostrate, and even if beaten now, 
of which I have little or no hope, they will be formidable 
and well-organized foes. I spoke to my satisfaction, 
which is rarely the case. We shall go to Hughenden on 
Tuesday, thus closing a campaign seldom equalled for its 
events, its excitement, its chagrin and wasted energies. 
I am sorry, very, that I could not come down to see you 
before I went away, but independently of the painful 
absorption of my pursuits, I have had little heart for the 
expedition. May, perhaps, may bring brighter skies and 
fortunes, though we cannot complain of fortune, only of 
our inveterate imbecility, which could not avail itself of 
her abundant favors. 

The religious question will revive with all its fervor 
after the holidays, and the recent conversions will add 
fuel to the fire. You have heard of the secession of 
Manning, the spiritual director of Sidney Herbert; and 

6 Resolutions in favor of the owners and occupiers of land. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 185 


of James Hope, the glory of the Scotch bar, and Glad¬ 
stone’s bosom friend—by the bye, the son-in-law of Lock¬ 
hart. . . . 

The before Easter season has been very gay, though I 
have been myself very little about, the House requiring 
all my time and thought. Lady Salisbury and Lady 
Glengall have both had regular reception-nights, and yes¬ 
terday there was a great gathering of the Tory party at 
Lady Eglintoun’s. . . . 


Grosvenor Gate: April 16, 1851. 

We go to Hughenden to-day. Yesterday I made the 
acquaintance of the great Monsieur Soyer, who is a very 
clever person, and who is creating out of old Gore House 
and its gardens a most fantastic paradise of ginguettes , 
which I think will astonish and delight the world. Never 
was such an assemblage of saloons, pavilions, statues, 
fountains, and all sorts of fanciful creations. Some of 
the walls are covered with grotesques, in which, among 
others, your humble servant figures. 

The literary market is very bad. Shilling romances, 
and other books as cheap, and all good, for they are 
translations, many of them, from the best French writers 
have quite knocked up the good old profession, which, 
established on a discreet foundation of puffing, permitted 
a fair profit to publisher and scribe.—Yours, D. 

Grosvenor Gate: May 24. 

Yesterday our chief won the Oaks, a compensation for 
his other loss, or, as some think (not I), an omen of re¬ 
covering it. The day before we met him at the Hard- 
wickes’—a sort of Cabinet dinner (Cabinet of St. Ger¬ 
mains), the Malmesburys, Redesdale, Herries, etc. On 
Wednesday we went to the Great Exhibition. You must 


186 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

contrive to go, if only for once, as I did. Any day you 
like to come up Mary Anne will go with you, who by 
that time will know all the points, for one wants a guide. 
On Sunday I dined at Lumley’s, a villa dinner, to meet 
Jules Janin; there were many foreigners, English, or 
Irish rather—Clanricardc, Smythe, etc. Many healths in 
French. I gave “Her Majesty’s Ministers,” upon which 
the foreigners raised their eyes and cried “ Noble! ” 
“Ah ! c’est grand,” etc. Jules Janin a sort of Maginn. 

I met at Stanley’s the other day the new Irish M.P., 
Mr. Whiteside, 6 who promises, which is more than our 
political prospects do. I am not in much spirits for writ¬ 
ing, but send this line to keep up the chain and show 
that you are not forgotten. . . .—Yours affectionately, 

i>. 

Hughenden: September 19, 1851. 

I was at Aylesbury on Wednesday, where I dined with 
the old society, Lowndes of Chesham in the chair. I 
made a good speech in a difficult position and on a diffi¬ 
cult subject; and the meeting seemed in heart. I saw 
to-day in the “ Times” two columns of incoherent and 
contradictory nonsense which made me blush, though I 
ought to be hardened by this time on such subjects. I 
am only afraid the world will think it all Delphic and 
diplomatic, and that the wordy obscurity was inten¬ 
tional, whereas I flattered myself I was as terse and sim¬ 
ple as suited a farmers’ table. The Bishop and his tail, a 
Chancellor, an Archdeacon Chaplain and a secretary come 
the beginning of November. The Lord-Lieutenant has 
bolted to Brighton, therefore it was absolutely necessary 
for me to receive them, in my position. ... D. 


• Subsequently Chief Justice of Ireland. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 187 
Hughenden: October 4, 1851. 

On Tuesday I went to Salt Hill, 7 expecting to find 
Labouchere in the chair, hut he had not returned from 
Spain, and we had a regular political meeting, though 
against the rules. It went off well. Harcourt was there, 
Yyse, R. Clayton, Harvey junior; Irby in the chair, I on 
his right. I get on very well with my task; if I could only 
keep it up as well for two months I should see daylight. 
Yesterday I was obliged to go to town, and having some 
spare time I went to the Exhibition, last shilling day, to 
see the millions. Some of the fine things, like the Duch¬ 
ess of Parma’s toilettes and the Queen of Spain’s jewels, 
etc., are gone, which I was sorry for, for the multitudes; 
but there are also some additions, especially an Eve in 
sculpture by a Belgian, very fine. But there was no 
music, only on the aristocratic days. This is I think to 
be deplored. The organs might have a humanizing effect 
on the dog-stealers, cabmen, and coal-heavers. I saw 
some of all, and this want made the whole thing less im¬ 
pressive than before. . . . 

I am much shocked by the death of Reventlow. 8 He 
was one of the best-hearted and most genial beings I ever 
knew, and clever too ; and independent of all this, was 
my secret agent in the Diplomatic Corps, and I always 
found him faithful and accurate. It is a great loss to 
me in every sense.—Yours, D. 


Hughenden: October 17, 1851. 

I think you err in what you say as to the price of wheat, 
35 . per bushel, which would be 245. per quarter. It is 
still much nearer 405. per quarter than 245. At this mo- 

7 Meeting of the Bucks Agricultural Association. 

8 Then Danish Minister. 


188 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

ment, with the exception of wheat, all agricultural prod¬ 
uce is as high as the average of the last twenty years : 
barley, oats, beans, horses and cart colts, cows, sheep, 
pigs, wool, and hay. It is a question yet difficult to solve, 
whether wheat is to partake of their elevation, or they 
to sink to its depreciated level, as former experience has 
shown these disturbances of the general equilibrium to 
be but temporary. But circumstances are changed, and 
former experience may not be any longer a guide in this 
respect. It is possible that agriculture may flourish with¬ 
out a high price of wheat, and without producing any. 
There certainly seems to me no reason for its appearance 
in the Chilterns, unless it fetches a high price. I believe 
all the farmers in this district, who have decent capital, 
are much more than making both ends meet. 

Hughenden: November 14. 

I have scarcely left my room, being so much occupied, 
though this delicious weather tempts one hard. From 
seven to two o’clock Hughenden looks like summer, but 
when I get out the owls are stirring. We go to Latimer, 
but I don’t think I shall be able to stay more than a day, 
as I must go up to town about the book. You must make 
the exertion of paying us a Christmas visit if you can, 
that we may be all together. This house is wonderfully 
warm for a country house, and your room is the prettiest 
in the world, and the sunniest aspect. . . . The bishop 
has been ; he was very amusing, fresh from Windsor, 
where there had been a chapter of the Garter. He told 
me a great many stories, which I had not time to send 
you ; one about the Duke of Wellington, that the Court 
consulted him as to how he thought things would termi¬ 
nate in France, upon which, after a pause, and in his orac¬ 
ular manner, he said, “It will come to blows.” 

Granby’s visit was very short. He stayed long enough, 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


189 


however, to ask Redrup, to whom he paid a visit with 
me, “ Whether there was any land that had gone out of 
cultivation in this neighborhood ?” The astonishment of 
Redrup, who has just sold his barley for 30s. per quarter, 
may be conceived. All my rents are paid. . . . 

Grosvenor Gate: December 7, 1851. 

I finished the last line of the last chapter 9 last night, 
and never in my life felt more relieved, not having had 
a moment’s ease the whole autumn. To-morrow we go 
to Hatfield, and on our return shall probably stay some 
days in town. If so, I shall come and spend a long day 
with you at Twickenham and dine, if you will promise to 
give me only a mutton-chop and a glass of sherry. Affairs 
are very stirring, but how they are to turn out the most 
prescient can hardly see. There ought, I think, to be a 
Conservative Government. . . . 

Hughenden: December 31, 1851. 

I wish you a happy new year, though I have nothing 
particular to tell you. I think the book is well launched 
(but that is all I know) and makes pretty good head 
against Napoleon and Palmerston—fearful odds. The 
Duke of Portland acknowledged the receipt of the vol¬ 
ume, “ expressing on behalf of all members of the family 
their gratitude,” etc. The article in the “ Dublin Univer¬ 
sity” is by Mr. Butt. He happened to be in town when 
the book was published, read it en route to Dublin, and 
in two days produced the article, notwithstanding the 
pressure of his profession, and the exigency of the maga¬ 
zine itself. I dare say “ Blackwood ” will be a good, elab¬ 
orate article. The “Times” was at least a great adver¬ 
tisement. . . . The Palmerston coup 10 is very serious. . . . 

9 Lord George Bentinck: a Political Biography. 

10 His dismissal from the Ministry. 

13 


190 LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 


1852. 

Burghley—Troubles ahead—Official life—Success—Re-election for 
Bucks—Great business—Political society—Britton’s pension— 
Militia Bill—Queen’s birthday celebrated—Banquets—Audiences 
with Prince Albert—Remarks—The Court—Prorogation by the 
Queen in person. 

Grosvenor Gate: January 26, 1852. 

It is a long time since I have written, and there have 
been great events in the interval. We came from Burgh¬ 
ley on Saturday night, having there a large party, Der- 
bys, Salisburys, Granby, Herries, Malmesburys, etc. 
Lord Derby is fortunately very well, much thinner for 
his illness, but looking perhaps in consequence ten years 
younger. He is in good heart and sanguine, but I see 
tremendous troubles ahead; if not breakers, waves moun¬ 
tains high. . . . 

John Russell has written me a very charming letter 
about the political biography. . . . 

Downing Street: March 2, 1852. 1 
Having recovered from the horrors of a torpid liver, 
which has overwhelmed me the last few days, I send you 
an official letter, to tell you we get on very well. The 
Court gracious, the Press amiable, and our friends in the 
country considerate. To morrow there is a lev'ee , Friday 
a council, and Saturday our first Cabinet. A fortnight 
in my office without the House of Commons to distract 

1 On the resignation of the Russell Government, February 23, 
Lord Derby became Prime Minister, and Mr. Disraeli Chancellor 
of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 191 

me is a great advantage at starting. My election is fixed 
for the 12th, the day the House reassembles—rather 
awkward. . . . 

Downing Street: March 17, 1852. 

I think we have turned the corner. The public seems 
with us, and our raw recruits have not made a single 
blunder. Ralph keeps you somewhat au fait with what 
happens, and, as regards myself, I am very well, hut I 
literally have not time to take my meals. The Lord 
President, however, gives to-day his first dinner; so busi¬ 
ness and food may be combined. In the evening Lady 
Derby has her first reception, which I shall attend, though 
otherwise I do not attempt to go anywhere. On Monday 
night Lord Derby did wonders, and I, in the other 
House, did not disgrace our friends. . . . 

Downing Street: April 26. 

Your letters are always welcome, and always full of 
matter. ... I have given a pension of 7 5l. per annum to 
Britton in his 81st year, and the author of 86 works; he 
made the appeal, and I wish I could have gotten him 
more, but the whole fund for the year was exhausted ex¬ 
cept 75 1 . ... I have neither time to feed nor sleep, 
though pretty well; great debates every night, and the 
Budget on Friday, for which I have literally not time to 
prepare. A Drawing-room, too, on Thursday will waste 
the whole morning. Lord John, after much deliberation, 
has chosen his own field of battle, and if he get beat to¬ 
night, 3 which I think he will, he will have proved himself 
a very unfortunate, not to say a very unskilful, general. 
. . .—Ever thine, L). 


2 Militia Bill. 


192 LORD beaconsfield’s correspondence. 

House of Commons: May 14. 

A hurried line to tell you that, after many vicissitudes, 
affairs seem pretty well and smooth again, except this 
morning—Lord Derby has the gout! They say it is 
light; but he is in bed, and how things are to go on with¬ 
out him baffles my imagination. 

Yesterday 3 I feasted my followers in a manner worthy 
of the cause, and as few Chancellors of Exchequer have 
of late years. There was an enormous Drawing-room, 
the banquet and drum at Lady Derby’s, not less, I should 
think, than a thousand. I never got upstairs. The Privy 
Seal, the Lord President, the Postmaster, all gave gratui¬ 
tous feasts. The Duke of Northumberland too; in fact 
never was a faction so feasted ! . . . 


June 8, 1852. 

The business is very hard and anxious; up to three 
o’clock every morning, and in my place again at noon. 
It cannot I suppose last very long; at least if it do, I 
shall not. However, on the whole, I keep my health. 
My life you know by the newspapers; I go nowhere. 
Yesterday I was not at the Trinity House, and shall not 
be at a long series of civic feasts which are coming, be¬ 
ing all, and perhaps fortunately, on House of Commons 
days. . . . 

On Sunday I was two hours with the Prince—a very 
gracious and interesting audience. He has great abili¬ 
ties and wonderful knowledge, I think the best educated 
man I ever met; most completely trained, and not over¬ 
educated for his intellect, which is energetic and lively.— 
Adieu. 


Celebration of Queen s birthday. 


LORD BEACONSFIELD’S CORRESPONDENCE. 193 
Downing Street: June 16. 

Our unprecedented efforts have nearly steered the ship 
into port. The Speaker says he never remembers so much 
and such hard work. I think we shall carry every one of 
our Bills of the slightest importance; even the Crime and 
Outrage Bill, of which I once despaired. . . . Things 
look favorably. The Court is very gracious; I was with 
the Prince two hours again on Sunday last. . . . The 
fish dinner is fixed for the 30th. I hope Parliament will 
be prorogued the next day, and the Queen will do so in 
person. 


THB END. 

























- 


. 
































BENTO: A TALE OF TEE CHEIST. 

By Lew. Wallace. New Edition, pp. 552. 16mo, Cloth, 

$1 50. _ 

Anything so startling, new, and distinctive as the leading feature of this 
romance does not often appear in works of fiction. . . . Some of Mr. Wal¬ 
lace’s writing is remarkable for its pathetic eloquence. The scenes de¬ 
scribed in the New Testament are rewritten with the power and skill of 
an accomplished master of style.— N. Y. Times. 

Its real basis is a description of the life of the Jews and Romans at the 
beginning of the Christian era, and this is both forcible and brilliant. . . . 
We are carried through a surprising variety of scenes; we witness a sea- 
fight, a chariot-race, the internal economy of a Roman galley, domestic in¬ 
teriors at Antioch, at Jerusalem, and among the tribes of the desert; pal¬ 
aces, prisons, the haunts of dissipated Roman youth, the houses of pious 
families of Israel. There is plenty of exciting incident; everything is 
animated, vivid, and glowing.— N. Y. Tribune. 

From the opening of the volume to the very close the reader’s interest 
will be kept at the highest pitch, and the novel will be pronounced by all 
one of the greatest novels of the day.— Boston Post. 

It is full of poetic beauty, as though born of an Eastern sage, and there 
is sufficient of Oriental customs, geography, nomenclature t etc., to greatly 
strengthen the semblance.— Boston Commonwealth. 

“Ben-Hur” is interesting, and its characterization is fine and strong. 
Meanwhile it evinces careful study of the period in which the scene is laid, 
and will help those who read it with reasonable attention to realize the 
nature and conditions of Hebrew life in Jerusalem and Roman life at 
Antioch at the time of our Saviour’s advent.— Examiner , N. Y. 

It is really Scripture history of Christ’s time clothed gracefully and 
delicately in the flowing and loose drapery of modern fiction. . . . Few late 
works of fiction excel it in genuine ability and interest.— N. Y. Graphic. 

One of the most remarkable and delightful books. It is as real and 
warm as life itself, and as attractive as the grandest and most heroic 
chapters of history.— Indianapolis Journal. 

The book is one of unquestionable power, and will be read with un¬ 
wonted interest by many readers who are weary of the conventional novel 
and romance.— Boston Journal. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

40* The above ivork sent by mail , postage prepaid , to any part of the United States 
or Canada, on receipt of the price. 




BOOTS AND SADDLES; 

Or, Life in Dakota with General Custer. By Mrs. Eliz¬ 
abeth B. Custer. With Portrait of General Custer, 
pp. 312. 12mo, Cloth, $1 50. 

A book of adventure is interesting reading, especially when it is all true, 
as is the case with “Boots and Saddles.” * * * She does not obtrude the 
fact that sunshine and solace went with her to tent and fort, but it in¬ 
heres in her narrative none the less, and as a consequence “ these simple 
annals of our daily life,” as she calls them, are never dull nor uninterest¬ 
ing.— Evangelist , N. Y. 

Mrs. Custer’s book is in reality a bright and sunny sketch of the life 
of her late husband, who fell at the battle of “Little Big Horn.” * * * 
After the war, when General Custer was sent to the Indian frontier, his 
wife was of the party, and she is able to give the minute story of her 
husband’s varied career, since she was almost always near the scene of 
his adventures.— Brooklyn Union. 

We have no hesitation in saying that no better or more satisfactory life 
of General Custer could have been written. Indeed, we may as well 
speak the thought that is in us, and say plainly that we know of no bio¬ 
graphical work anywhere which we count better than this. * * * Surely the 
record of such experiences as these will be read with that keen interest 
which attaches only to strenuous human doings; as surely we are right 
in saying that such a story of truth and heroism as that here told will 
take a deeper hold upon the popular mind and heart than any work of 
fiction can. For the rest, the narrative is as vivacious and as lightly and 
trippingly given as that of any novel. It is enriched in every chapter with 
illustrative anecdotes and incidents, and here and there a little life story 
of pathetic interest is told as an episode.— N. Y. Commercial Advertiser. 

It is a plain, straightforward story of the author’s life on the plains of 
Dakota. Every member of a Western garrison will want to read this 
book; every person in the East who is interested in Western life will 
want to read it, too; and every girl or boy who has a healthy appetite 
for adventure will be sure to get it. It is bound to have an army of read¬ 
ers that few authors can expect.— Philadelphia Press. 

These annals of daily life in the army are simple, yet interesting, and 
underneath all is discerned the love of a true woman ready for any sacri¬ 
fice. She touches on themes little canvassed by the civilian, and makes a 
volume equally redolent of a loving devotion to an honored husband, and 
attractive as a picture of necessary duty by the soldier.— C<mmonwealth } 
Boston. _ 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, N. Y. 

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part qf the United States or Canada, on receipt of the price. 



A.TLi^JSrTTS 


ATLANTIS: THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD. By Ig- 
NATiua Donnnelly. Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, $2 00. 

Mr. Donnelly’s theory is an ingenious one, and is well fortified by argu¬ 
ments drawn from geology and history, from prehistoric relics, from tra¬ 
ditions, and from manners, languages, and customs of widely separated 
nations. His theory offers a plausible explanation for many puzzling 
discoveries of the philosophers, and his book will give a fresh impulse to 
historic and prehistoric research.— Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Mr. Ignatius Donnelly has written a unique and interesting argument to 
prove that the legend of Atlantis is based upon fact, and that it tells of 
the first and one of the greatest of civilized nations, which a terrible con¬ 
vulsion of nature obliterated.— Congregationalism Boston. 

All of this is very startling, but the author has made out a case which, 
if not convincing, is at least interesting and wonderfully plausible. His 
book shows, throughout, wide reading, logical clearness, and careful 
thought, and the work cannot fail to interest by the vast accumulation of 
out-of-the-way information it contains.— Saturday Evening Gazette , Boston. 

This is a most remarkable book, entertaining, instructive, and fascinat¬ 
ing to a degree. ... A book well worth reading. The world will never 
tire of the story of the lost Atlantis and of speculations in regard to it. 
It has been the theme of the poet and philosopher. Now it is brought 
to the test of science.— Brooklyn Union-Argus. 

If any one should get the impression that Mr. Donnelly’s book is a 
foolish one, he will make a great mistake. There is an immense amount 
of knowledge accumulated, and some of his views have much more be¬ 
neath them than notions in science which have wide prevalence. What¬ 
ever may be thought of his conclusions, the facts he has assembled with 
regard to the Deluge and the several traditions concerning it, his com¬ 
parisons of the Old and New World civilizations, his analysis of the my¬ 
thologies of the Old World, and his discernment and selection of Atlan- 
tean colonies make up a marvellously interesting book.— Christian Advo¬ 
cate, N. Y. 

It has a strange interest to the general reader as well as to scientific 
students.— Evangelist , N. Y. 

He must have the credit, however, of giving to the public the most 
original volume of the season.— The Congregationalism Boston. 

The book contains matter food for thought from the first page to the 
last, and its subject is so consequential that, if its major propositions can 
be considered proven, some of the most perplexing problems which the 
history of the human race offers to the investigator will, for the first time 
since the revival of civilization, be put in the way of satisfactory solution. 
—Evening Telegraph , Philadelphia. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

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or Canada , on receipt of the price. 




UPON A CAST. 


A Novel. By Charlotte Dunning, pp. 330. 16mo, 

Cloth, $1 00. 

It embodies throughout the expressions of genuine American frank¬ 
ness, is well conceived, well managed, and brought to a delightful 
and captivating close.— Albany Press. 

The author writes this story of American social life in an interest¬ 
ing manner. . . . The style of the writing is excellent, and the dia¬ 
logue clever.— N. T. Times. 

This story is strong in plot, and its characters are drawn with a 
firm and skilful hand. They seem like real people, and their acts 
and words, their fortunes and misadventures, are made to engage the 
reader’s interest and sympathy. — Worcester Daily Spy. 

The character painting is very well done. . . . The sourest cynic 
that ever sneered at woman cannot but find the little story vastly 
entertaining.— Commercial Bulletin, Boston. 

The life of a semi-metropolitan village, with its own aristocracy, 
gossips, and various other qualities of people, is admirably por¬ 
trayed. . . . The book fascinates the reader from the first page tc 
the last.— Boston Traveller. 

The plot has been constructed with no little skill, and the charac¬ 
ters—all of them interesting and worthy of acquaintance—are por¬ 
trayed with great distinctness. The book is written in an entertain¬ 
ing and vivacious style, and is destined to provide entertainment for 
a large number of readers.— Christian at Work, N. Y. 

One of the best—if not the very best—of the society novels of the 
season.— Detroit Free Press. 

Of peculiar interest as regards plot, and with much grace and 
freshness of style.— Brooklyn Times. 

The plot has been constructed with no little skill, and the characters 
—all of them interesting and worthy of acquaintance—are portrayed 
with great distinctness.— Episcopal Recorder, Philadelphia. 

A clever and entertaining novel. It is wholly social, and the 
theatre is a small one ; but the characters are varied and are drawn 
with a firm hand ; the play of human passion and longing is well- 
defined and brilliant; and the movement is effective and satisfac¬ 
tory. . . . The love story is as good as the social study, making alto¬ 
gether an uncommonly entertaining book for vacation reading.— 
Wilmington (Del.) Morning News. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

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any part of the United States or Canada, on receipt of the price. 




AT THE RED GLOVE. 

A Novel. Illustrated by C. S. Reinhabt. pp. 246. 
12mo, Extra Cloth, $1 50. 


We have tried to express our admiration of the brilliant talents which 
the “ Red Glove ” displays—the accurate knowledge shown of localities; 
the characteristics of the surrounding population, and the instinctive read¬ 
ing of the inner selves of the various personages who figure in the story.... 
A charming idyl.— JV. Y. Mail and Express. 

The execution is admirable. . . . The characters are the clearest studies, 
and are typical of a certain phase of French life. . . . The story is fanciful, 
graceful, and piquant, and Reinhart’s illustrations add to its flavor.— Bos¬ 
ton Journal. 

The peculiar vivacity of the French style is blended with a subtle char¬ 
acter-analysis that is one of the best things in that line that has been pro¬ 
duced for a long time. It is one of the most brilliant pieces of literary 
work that has appeared for years, and the interest is sustained almost 
breathlessly.— Boston Evening Traveller. 

The authoress of “ At the Red Glove ” knows how to paint a flesh-and- 
blood woman, grateful to all the senses, and respectable for the qualities 
of her mind and heart. . . . All in all, “At the Red Glove” is one of the 
most delightful of novels since Miss Woolson wrote “For the Major.”— 
N. Y. Times. 

The novel is one of the best things of the summer as a delicious bit of 
entertainment, prepared with perfect art and presented without a sign of 
effort.— N. Y. Commercial Advertiser. 

It is an artistic and agreeable reproduction, in bright colors, of French 
sentiment and feeling. ... It is an abiding relief to read it, after such 
studies as novels in this country fashionably impose.— Boston Globe. 

A charming little story. . . . The characters are well drawn, with fresh¬ 
ness and with adequacy of treatment, and the style is crisp and ofttimes 
trenchant.— Boston Advertiser. 

A very pretty story, simply and exquisitely told. . . . The ups and downs 
of the courtship are drawn with a master’s hand. — Cincinnati Inquirer. 

There has been no such pleasant novel of Swiss social life as this. . . . 
The book is one that tourists and summer idlers will do well to add to 
their travelling libraries for the season.— Philadelphia Bulletin. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

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or Canada, on receipt of the price. 




THE BREAD-WINNERS 

A Social Study. 16mo, Cloth, $1 00. 


One of the strongest and most striking stories of the last ten years. . . . 
The work of a very clever man; it is told with many lively strokes of hu¬ 
mor ; it sparkles with epigram; it is brilliant with wit. . . . The chief 
characters in it are actually alive; they are really flesh and blood; they 
are at once true and new; and they are emphatically and aggressively 
American. The anonymous author has a firm grip on American character. 
He has seen, and he has succeeded in making us see, facts and phases of 
American life which no one has put into a book before. . . . Interesting, 
earnest, sincere ; fine in its performance, and finer still in its promise.— 
Saturday Review , London. 

A worthy contribution to that American novel-literature which is at the 
present day, on the whole, ahead of our own .—Pall Mall Gazette , London. 

Praise, and unstinted praise, should be given to “ The Bread-Winners.” 
— N. Y. Times. 

It is a novel with a plot, rounded and distinct, upon which every episode 
has a direct bearing. . . . The book is one to stand nobly the test of im¬ 
mediate re-reading.— Critic , N. Y. 

It is a truly remarkable book.— N. Y. Journal of Commerce. 

As a vigorous, virile, well-told American story, it is long since we have 
had anything as good as “ The Bread-Winners .”—Philadelphia Bulletin. 

Every page of the book shows the practised hand of a writer to whom 
long use has made exact literary expression as easy and spontaneous as 
the conversation of some of those gifted talkers who are at once the 
delight and the envy of their associates. ... We might mention many 
scenes which seem to us particularly strong, but if we began such a 
catalogue we should not know where to stop.— N. Y. Tribune. 

Within comparatively few pages a story which, as a whole, deserves to 
be called vigorous, is tersely told. . . . The author’s ability to depict the 
mental and moral struggles of those who are poor, and who believe them¬ 
selves oppressed, is also evident in his management of the strike and in 
his delineation of the characters of Sam Sleeny, a carpenter’s journeyman, 
and Ananias Offit, the villain of the story. , . . The characters who bring 
into play and work out the author’s ideas are all well drawn, and their in¬ 
dividuality maintained and developed with a distinctness that shows inti¬ 
mate familiarity with the subject, as well as unquestionable ability in deal¬ 
ing with it.— N. Y. Evening Telegram. 


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part of the United States or Canada, on receipt of the price. 




“AS WE WENT MARCHING ON.” 


A Story of the War. By G. W. Hosmer, M.D. pp. 
310. 16mo, Cloth, $1 00. 

A skilful blending of plot with descriptions of active operations in the 
field. An attractive book.— H. Y. Sun. 

It seems to be all true excepting, perhaps, the names of the heroes and 
heroines. The author’s battle sketches are good, his characters natural, 
and his conversations neatly managed.— N. Y. Journal of Commerce. 

A vivid, somewhat exciting story, in which the experiences of army life 
are told in a way that makes them sound like the author’s own, and in 
which the narrative is conducted by Mars and Cupid alternately.— Phila¬ 
delphia Inquirer. 

This is really a fine story, in which marching and fighting and love are 
blended, yet one never interferes with the other. ... Of the picturesque¬ 
ness of camp life, the rude comfort of the bivouac, the hardships of the 
march, there is not in all the war history with which we are acquainted 
any such forceful description as in this little volume.— Rochester Herald. 

Interesting, both as a novel and as a description of the actual life of the 
soldier — the discomforts of rainy nights, muddy roads, and a hungry 
bivouac in a country filled with foes. . . . The various military incidents— 
the night marches, the annihilation of infantry surprised by calvary, the 
gathering roar and surging tide of a great battle—are given with the en¬ 
thralling energy peculiar to the eye-witness.— Commercial Bulletin , Boston. 

A well-told soldier’s romance, commencing in the Blue Ridge wilderness 
of Virginia about the time of Pope’s disastrous campaign, and ending with 
Sheridan’s ride up the valley and converting defeat into victory at Fisher 
Hill. ... A war story superior to any with which we are acquainted. It is 
admirable as to plot and characters, as to the picturesque and effective 
background of military life, and as to its pure, graceful, and vigorous 
English.— Pittsburgh Post. 

Dr. Hosmer has written a spirited story that will interest old campaign¬ 
ers on both sides of the rebellion conflict. The clash and roar of battle 
are distinctly heard in some of his chapters. A good story for the home 
camp-fire.— Troy Press. 

This is a well-written and interesting story, in which domestic incidents 
and home affections blend with the roar of battle and the taking of pris¬ 
oners. The writer shows considerable knowledge of the actions and posi¬ 
tions on both sides in Virginia, where the scene is laid.— Brooklyn Eagle. 

A well-told, interesting story, with just enough of war, deceit, and love 
in it to be heartily enjoyable.— Hartford Post. 


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part of the United States or Canada , on receipt of the price. 




J. S. WINTER’S ROMS. 


MIGNON; OB, BOOTLESS BABY. Illustrated. 16mo, 

Paper, 25 cents. 

A charming little story of military life.— N. Y. Sun. 

A bright and taking little story, well worth reading.— The Critic , N. Y. 

It is full of bright pictures, and the text is bright and deliciously fun¬ 
ny.— Commercial Bulletin , Boston. 

It is finely told, with humor and pathos, and excels in quick character 
drawing and style. It moves the better feelings.— Boston Globe. 

It is a light story of garrison life, with enough of a mystery to make it 
interesting to the end, and with a touch of pathos which is excellently 
done.— Boston Courier. 

It is just the kind of book to help one to pass a summer afternoon 
pleasantly. The story treats of English regimental life, and relates the 
adventures of a stray baby, unceremoniously presented to one of the 
characters, in a striking and amusing manner.— Boston Commonwealth. 

This is a pretty little story of barrack life, having for its central figure 
a precocious little sprite, who dances about a manly soldier of the best 
sort. The story is well told.— Providence Telegram. 

HOUP-LA. Illustrated. 16mo, Paper, 25 cents. 

It is a pathetic story and abounds in incident.— N. Y. Sun. 

The tale has much of humor, muchiof pathos, and will occupy an hour 
very pleasantly.— Troy Telegram. 

A story of adventure, exciting situations, strange scenes, odd charac¬ 
ters, and of absorbing interest.— Albany Press. 

A pretty story, full of human interest. It is nicely told, and holds the 
reader from the beginning to the close.— Philadelphia North American. 

A touching story of a waif rescued from a cruel master by an English 
army officer.— Philadelphia Inquirer. 

A very amusing and, in its close, pathetic story of humble constancy 
and heroism.— Zion's Herald , Boston. 

IN QUARTERS WITH THE 25TH (THE BLACK 
HORSE) DRAGOONS. 16mo, Paper, 25 cents. 

Its jollity and fun are exemplified by practical jokes and deliberate 
waggishness, and at the same time there are not wanting bits of pathos 
and genuine heroism. The narrative is unflaggingly interesting and at 
times very dramatic.— N. Y. Commercial Advertiser. 

Briskly narrated in a dashing manner, and well fitted to engage an 
idle half-hour.— Boston Herald. 

Well worth reading. . .. Written in a lively and forcible style, and is one 
of the books which it is a pleasure to pick up when one wishes enter¬ 
taining reading matter for a short time. Besides, being more or less stories 
of adventure, and the same characters occurring in more than one of 
them, the interest continues until the book is finished.— Boston Times. 

A MAN OF HONOR. 16mo, Paper, 25 cents. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

jy Harper & Brothers will send any of the above works by mail , postage pre¬ 
paid, to any part of the United States or Canada , on receipt of the price. 




Her novels are replete with dramatic incident; the style is clear and sim» 
pie narration , with true insight into character .— Brooklyn Times. 


VIRGINIA W. JOHNSON’S WORKS. 

A SACK OF GOLD. A Novel. 8vo, Paper, 35 cents. 

JOSEPH THE JEW. The Story of an Old House. 8vo, 
Paper, 40 cents. 

MISS NANCY’S PILGRIMAGE. A Novel. 8vo, Paper, 

40 cents. 

THE CALDERWOOD SECRET. A Novel. 8vo, Paper, 

40 cents. 

THE NEPTUNE VASE. A Novel. 4to, Paper, 20 cents. 
TULIP PLACE. A Novel. 16mo, Paper, 25 cents. 

TWO OLD CATS. A Novel. 4to, Paper, 15 cents. 

THE CATSKILL FAIRIES. Illustrated by Alfred Fred¬ 
ericks. Square 8vo, Illuminated Cloth, Gilt Edges, $3 00. 

“ The Catskill Fairies ” is a really charming collection of little stories, 
in which an attempt, and a successful one at that, is made to open up a 
vein of national fairy lore. There are twelve stories in all, told with 
much force and delicacy of style, together with a quaintness and a sim¬ 
plicity that are equally attractive and delightful. There is a playful 
humor, too, in the manner of telling these pretty tales that is not the least 
of their claims to attention. . . . The book is copiously and admirably 
illustrated by Alfred Fredericks, who here fully makes good his title to 
be considered the best book illustrator in the country. His pictures are 
not only fine in drawing and rich in effect, but they abound in character, 
thought, and originality .—Saturday Evening Gazette, Boston. 

One of the most exquisitely appropriate volumes for the young that 
could be devised—exquisite in its paper, binding, typography, and illus¬ 
trations, and equally so in the graceful, eventful, half-mysterious tales 
which it contains. Miss Johnson tells a fairy story to perfection—as if 
she believed it herself—and with a wealth of tricksome and frolic fancy 
that will delight the young and old alike. ... Nor could anything be de¬ 
vised more apposite to the holidays, or more appropriate for a gift, than 
this charming book.— Christian Intelligencer, N. Y. 

It is handsome in make-up, is beautifully illustrated, and is as interest¬ 
ing as could be desired. . . . Miss Johnson evidently understands juvenile 
literary needs .—Brooklyn Eagle. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

ijsf’ The above works sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States 
or Canada, on receipt of the price. 




WILL CARLETON'S POETICAL WORKS. 


CITY BALLADS. By Will Carleton. Illustrated, 
pp. 180. Square 8vo, Ornamental Cloth, $2 00; 
Gilt Edges, $2 50. 

A book of delightful interest for general reading. —Boston Herald. 

He has written nothing that so searches the heart as this volume of 
city ballads.— Hartford Post. 

FABM BALLADS. By Will Carleton. Illustrated, 
pp. 160. Square 8vo, Ornamental Cloth, $2 00; 
Gilt Edges, $2 50. 

Will Carleton’s Ballads exhibit an originality of conception and power 
of execution which entitle the author to claim rank as a master in this 
field of poetic literature.— H. Y. Evening Post. 

FABM LEGE YDS. By Will Carleton. Illustrated, 
pp. 132. Square 8vo, Ornamental Cloth, $2 00; 
Gilt Edges, $2 50. 

Honest and faithful and graphic.— Independent , N. Y. 

The “ Legends ” are tender, true, and infused with that genuine humor 
which lies near to the pathetic, and is at once softening and strengthening 
in its influences. There is something very genial and unaffected in all 
these ballads. — Christian Intelligencer , N. Y. 

FABM FESTIVALS. By Will Carleton. Illustrat¬ 
ed. pp. 168. Square 8vo, Illuminated Cloth, $2 00 ; 
Gilt Edges, $2 50. 

Will Carleton has a place in the popular heart. The naivete and hu¬ 
mor, the wit and wisdom, of his songs are of the sort that appeals to the 
emotidhs, and every one, whatever his station or knowledge of the scenes 
with which they deal, can recognize their faithful, hearty eloquence.— 
Boston Traveller. 

YOUNG FOLKS’ CENTENNIAL BHYMES. By 
Will Carleton. Illustrated, pp. 124. Post 8vo, 
Cloth, $1 50. 

Homely Revolutionary incidents done into easily flowing verse, and can¬ 
not fail to please and profit the boys and girls for whose benefit they have 
been written.— N. Y. Evening Post. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

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It surpasses all its predecessors. — N. Y. Tribune. 



A Dictionary of tlie English Language, Pronouncing, Etymological, 
and Explanatory, Embracing Scientific and Other Terms, Numer¬ 
ous Familiar Terms, and a Copious Selection of Old English 
Words. By the Rev. James Stormonth. The Pronunciation 
Carefully Revised by the Rev. P. H. Phelp, M.A. pp. 1248. 
4to, Cloth, $6 00; Half Roan, $7 00; Sheep, $7 50. 

Also in Harper’s Franklin Square Library, in Twenty- 
three Parts. 4to, Paper, 25 cents each Part. Muslin covers for 
binding supplied by the publishers on receipt of 50 cents. 

As regards thoroughness of etymological research and breadth of modern inclusion, 
Stormonth’s new dictionary surpasses all its predecessors. * * * In fact. Stormonth’s 
Dictionary possesses merits so many and conspicuous that it can hardly fail to estab¬ 
lish itself as a standard and a favorite.— N. Y. Tribune. 

This may serve in great measure the purposes of an English cycloptedia. It gives 
lucid and succinct definitions of the technical terms in science and art, in law and 
medicine. We have the explanation of words and phrases that puzzle most people, 
showing wonderfully comprehensive and out-of-the-way research. We need only add 
that the Dictionary appears in all its departments to have been brought down to meet 
the latest demands of the day, and that it is admirably printed.— Times , London. 

A most valuable addition to the library of the scholar and of the general reader. 
It can have for the present no possible rival .—Boston Post. 

It has the bones and sinews of the grand dictionary of the future. * * * An invalu¬ 
able library book .—Ecclesiastical Gazette , London. 

A work which is certainly without a rival, all things considered, among the dic¬ 
tionaries of our language. The peculiarity of the work is that it is equally well adapt¬ 
ed to the uses of the man of business, who demands compactness and ease of reference, 
and to those of the most exigent scholar.— N. Y. Commercial Advertiser. 

As compared with our standard dictionaries, it is better in type, richer in its vocab¬ 
ulary, and happier in arrangement. Its system of grouping is admirable. * * * He 
who possesses this dictionary will enjoy and use it, and its bulk is not so great as to 
make use of it a terror .—Christian Advocate , N. Y. 

A well-planned and carefully executed work, which has decided merits of its own, 
and for which there is a place not filled by any of its rivals.— N. Y. Sun. 

A work of sterling value. It has received from all quarters the highest commenda¬ 
tion .—Lutheran Observer , Philadelphia. 

A trustworthy, truly scholarly dictionary of our English language .—Christian Intel¬ 
ligencer, N. Y. 

The issue of Stormonth’s great English dictionary is meeting with a hearty wel¬ 
come everywhere .—Boston Transcript. 

A critical and accurate dictionary, the embodiment of good scholarship and the 
result of modern researches. Compression and clearness are its external evidences, 
and it offers a favorable comparison with the best dictionaries in use, while it holds an 
unrivalled place in bringing forth the result of modern philological criticism .—Boston 
Journal. 

Full, complete, and accurate, including all the latest words, and giving all their 
derivatives and correlatives. The definitions are short, but plain, the method of mak¬ 
ing pronunciation very simple, and the arrangement such as to give the best results 
in the smallest space.— Philadelphia Inquirer. 


Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 

HClP Hauper & Brothers will send the above work by mail,postage prepaid , to any 
part of the United States or Canada , on receipt of the price. 




HARPER’S MAGAZINE FOR 1886. 

With the December Number began the Seventy-second Volume of Harper’s Maga¬ 
zine. It is the purpose of the publishers to make the volumes for the new year of 
unprecedented interest and importance, and they have made arrangements which jus¬ 
tify confidence in the success of their undertaking. They respectfully invite public 
attention to some of the leading attractions of the forth-coming volumes. 

The two novels now in course of publication—Miss Woolson’s “East Angels” and 
Mr. Howells’s “Indian Summer”—easily take the foremost place in current serial 
fiction. These will run through several Numbers, and, upon their completion, will be 
followed by stories from Mrs. Dinah Mulock Craik, author of “John Halifax, Gentle¬ 
man,” and R. D. Blackmore, author of “ Lorna Doone.” 

The great literary event of the year will be the publication of a series of papers— 
taking the shape of a story, and depicting characteristic features of American Society 
—written by Charles Dudley Warner, and illustrated by C. S. Reinhart— the materi¬ 
als for which have been gathered by the author and artist during the past summer at 
the principal American pleasure resorts, North and South. 

Beginning in the January Number, a New Editorial Department, discussing topics 
suggested by current literature, will be contributed by Mr. W. D. Howells. 

OTHER FEATURES, LITERARY AND ARTISTIC. 

Among other attractions for the year may be mentioned the continuation of the 
series of papers on “ Great American Industries ” and “ American Cities;” the contin¬ 
uation of Mr. E. A. Abbey’s series of illustrations for “She Stoops to Conquer;” 
“Sketches of the Avon,” by Alfred Parsons; papers on “The Navies of Europe,” by 
Sir Edward Reed, illustrated; curious studies of American Colonal History, by Colo¬ 
nel T. W. Higginson; sketches of “ Pioneer Life” in Tennessee and Kentucky, by Ed¬ 
mund Kirke and Colonel John Mason Brown, illustrated; more sketches of “ Frontier 
Military Life,” by R. F. Zogbaum, with the author’s illustrations; illustrated papers on 
the “ Blue Grass Region ” and “Cumberland Mountain Folk,” by James Lane Allen; 
“Southern Sketches,” by Rebecca Harding Davis; important “Social Studies,” by 
Dr. Richard T. Ely; studies in Natural History, illustrated by Alfred Parsons, Will¬ 
iam Hamilton Gibson, and J. C. Beard; illustrated sketches of adventure connected 
with the hunting of “Large Game in America,” etc. 

While Harper’s Magazine has in England a larger circulation than any other peri¬ 
odical of its class, it will be the aim of its publishers and conductors not only to make 
it representative of what is best in American literature and art, but also—as indicated 
in the above announcements—to give especial attention to American subjects, selected 
With reference to their popular interest. 


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